Where are all these crabs from?

I'm sure you’ve notice either the large number of crab shells and carcasses on the beach this summer or more likely you've felt something nipping at your bare feet in the shallow surf. The culprit is the Sand Crab [Ovalipes australiensis]. They are common enough and a favorite food for the pacific gulls. But why so many this year?

Please leave a comment is you think you know why.


A word of warning for the keen surf fisherman from the Museum Victoria, Ovalipes are experts at removing bait from fishhooks!