Hang out with the Mangrove Tree Crab

       If you find yourself in the mangrove swamp, you might see these guys literally falling from the trees.  Aratus pisonii migrates both the shore of mangrove swamps and during times of high tide migrates up into mangrove tree canopies (Smithsonian, 2009).

      The Aratus pisonii is the only crab to the genus Aratus.  It’s carapace is about 2.0 cm on average making it very small comparable to what most people think of a crab.  It exhibits a dark green to brown color.  The Tree Crab spends time in both the terrestrial and aquatic environments along coastal regions.  There are many factors in which influence the crabs choice of environmen including oxygen factors, reproduction, and avoiding predation (Smithsonian, 2009).

      The tree crab tends to feed on the leaves of the trees they reside in.  This is most commonly the leaves of the red mangrove trees but also includes those of the white and black mangrove trees.  Other food sources include smaller arthropods and algae (Beever et al. 1979).

 
Explore our site to learn about the topics of Classification, Form and Function, Habitat, Life History, Interactions, and Facts of the Mangrove Tree Crab!

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