Land-crab
Guides
Cardisoma guanhumi
blue land crab, great land crab
Cardisoma guanhumi is a large terrestrial crab native to tropical and subtropical Atlantic coastlines of the Americas. Adults exhibit striking sexual dimorphism in coloration and claw morphology, with males developing enlarged claws and typically displaying deep blue coloration while females remain lighter. The species constructs deep burrows in coastal soils that extend to the water table, enabling survival in terrestrial environments despite reproductive dependence on marine habitats for larval development. Populations have declined across much of their range due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, leading to protected status in several countries including Puerto Rico and Colombia.