Sponsorship fiddler crab
Fiddler crabs are small tropical crabs that live in mangrove forests and muddy tidal areas. They belong to the decapod crustaceans, with four pairs of limbs used for locomotion and one pair equipped with claws. Fiddler crabs build burrows in the mud, which they also defend. They live on sandy beaches and in mangrove forests.
With your annual contribution of CHF 190, you can help fiddler crabs find a home in the mangroves of Central Java by supporting the reforestation of the mangrove forest.
If you pay your sponsorship contribution by bank transfer or payment slip, please enter “Fiddler crab sponsorship” as the payment reference.
Fiddler crab facts
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical coasts, mangroves, mudflats, and estuaries around the world
- Size: Carapace length 2.5-5 cm
- Number of species: Approximately 100 species worldwide
- Special feature: Males have greatly enlarged claws (“winker claws”) that are used for courtship and defending their territory and can account for up to half of their body weight.
- Movement: Very fast lateral movements, they dig burrows in the sand or mud
- Food: Omnivores that use their small claws to scoop up mud and sort through it with their mouthparts to find food.
- Ecological significance: Fiddler crabs are true ecosystem engineers. They dig burrows in soft, muddy soil, loosening it up, which increases the oxygen content and promotes the growth of mangrove roots. The soil also compacts less quickly and is better protected against erosion.