Invasive, clawed creature is spotted in Georgia. Be on the lookout, experts say
A clawed creature seen in Georgia is sparking concern — and experts want you to keep an eye out for more of them.
The creature, a blue land crab, is an invasive species. Recently, the animal has been spotted outside its typical range, including along the Georgia coast, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
“While we are uncertain about the potential ecological and economic risks these crabs pose, we are currently concerned about damage caused by their extensive burrowing,” Jim Page, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program manager for the Wildlife Resources Division, wrote in a Dec. 20 news release.
Now, Georgia officials have turned to the public for help as they try to learn more about the species. People are urged to take photos of the crustaceans and report their sightings online at georgiawildlife.com/ans.
But good luck finding one of the crabs, experts say.
Blue land crabs are known to be “elusive,” with speeds and claws that make them “difficult to catch.” But you may get some relief after heavy rains, which can cause the crabs to emerge from their burrows, McClatchy News reported.
Despite what their names suggest, blue land crabs can be gray, white and several other colors. They look similar to fiddler crabs but are larger, according to wildlife experts in other states.
“Blue land crabs are native from Brazil to South Florida and can be as large as 5-6 inches,” Georgia officials said. “Sightings recently have been reported well north of the crabs’ native range, including the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.”
In Georgia, one of the crab reports came from St. Simons Island. But the Wildlife Resources Division couldn’t immediately share details about the state’s other sightings in an email to McClatchy News on Dec. 21.
A list from the U.S. Geological Survey says Georgia’s first blue land crab sighting was in 2021. In addition to the one found on St. Simons Island, the crustaceans also were reported in the St. Marys and “Ogeechee Coastal” areas.
This story was originally published December 21, 2023 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Invasive, clawed creature is spotted in Georgia. Be on the lookout, experts say."
