All About Fiddler Crabs
and their Habitat
Today we are going to learn
about:
The Fiddler Crab, their
characteristics, and their
habitat.
Anticipation
Guide
What do you know about the Fiddler Crab?
What do you Anticipate you will learn today?
Let the questions below guide you...
o
Have you ever thought about how a Fiddler Crab might
feel?
o
What are the parts of a Fiddler Crab?
o
Does a Fiddler Crab live on land? On water? Or both?
Turn and Talk to your
Partner!
What do you think you know about the Fiddler
Crab?
We Do NOT Taste
• Use as many senses as
possible when observing
the Fiddler Crab.
Observations...
• Be sure to record your observations on
your Fiddler-Crab-Recording Sheet.
• Use all of your senses when observing
the Fiddler Crab and it's
habitat.(except taste)
What Did You
Record?
Turn and Talk to your elbow partner.
In your Science Notebook...
• What was YOUR observation of the
Fiddler Crab and its habitat?
• What was your PARTNERS observation?
• What are the similarities and
differences?
Where are Fiddler
Crabs Found?
 Fiddler Crabs are found in mud, sand or in
brackish water.
 The fiddler crab lives in a moist habitat with
many dens where they can hide. They are
often seen digging holes in the sand to
make homes.
 They are sold as freshwater crabs but in
reality they come from brackish water
lagoons. The aquarium of the fiddler crab is
needed to be designed especially as they
have a characteristic to live both on land
and water.
Characteristics

Fiddler Crabs have a carapace, which is the upper section of
the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups,
including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as
well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises.

Fiddler Crabs have an abdomen that is something
invertebrates such as mammals have, constitutes the part of
the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis. ( Usually
known as the belly).

Fiddler Crabs have a large chela, which is the big claws only
on male crabs.

Fiddler Crabs have pinchers known as the cheliped.
Lifestyle:

Fiddler Crabs have an enlarged claw found in the male of
these species; when the enlarged claw breaks off, the
smaller claw grows larger.

Fiddler Crabs live in brackish water and sand. You may see
one on the beach or watersedge.

They are found along tropical and temperate seacoasts all
over the world. The three of the species namely Sand Fiddler
Crab, Marsh Fiddler Crab and Red-Jointed Fiddler Crab are
found along the East coast of North America.
Vocabulary:
•
Abdomen- in vertebrates such as mammals, constitutes the
part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis.
(Usually known as the belly)
•
Carapace- is a dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or
shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods
such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates
such as turtles and tortoises.
•
Large Chela- Is the big claw on male crabs.
•
Cheliped- is a pincer-like organ terminating certain limbs of
some arthropods. (also named claw or pincher).
Fiddler Crab Video
http://www.fiddlercrab.info/uca_video.html
Anticipation Guide
Would you like to add any new information?
If so, add your information/facts to the blank
page on the back.
What Did You Learn About the
Fiddler Crab?
How does a Fiddler Crab feel?
What are the parts of a Fiddler Crab?
Does a Fiddler Crab live on land? On
water? Or both?