Giant Blue land crabs on Ambergris Caye, how to cook em, how to chase them away! Near Corozal Bay.
They live on land and burrow underground in tunnels. They become highly visible when they attempt to make their trek to the sea to lay their eggs. Seawalls and other development, traffic and people are causing them to lose their habitat and numbers are dwindling. The eggs are visible on their underbelly. They tend to run sideways, and when confronted raise up one hand like a salute! (maybe they are being threatening?) They look like a little like ET when they stand and run.
Comments...
We used to get them in droves after the first big rain of the year on Ambergris. Not so much anymore.
These guys get big. One time, I saw one climb a chain link fence to get away from my dogs. I had a yard full of them in Belize City and they freaked me out when they would all be out of their holes clacking around the yard together. I stayed in the house... with the dogs. lol
They are yummy. Good meat in the body. Boil them like lobster. Put in a boiling pot of water. When done take out to cool. Break the shell and use a pick to take out the meat.
Male crabs have larger claws particularly one being bigger than the other. They use it for competition with other males and to attract females. The larger more impressive and well-kept claws help the males secure mates. In the the top picture, it looks like she's a girl.
We have so many in our yard, we are looking for a way to repel and discourage them. They are working very hard to undermine and destroy all my garden and flower beds.
Throw one or two marbles in each hole. it will stress them out and they will leave. they are obsessed with keeping their home clean and will keep trying to take the marble out. Give it a try.
A contest was held for the kids in Punta Gorda Town a number of months back... to see who could catch the most blue crab. Then after the contest, they cooked and ate them! (That might actually have been a second contest: best recipe!)
I only know from firsthand experience how dogs LOVE to bark at them (often for HOURS) before finally catching and killing them. (I have rescued any number of them...)
Photograph by Tammy Grimeselliott
Invasion of the crabs.. San Pedro Belize
There were hundreds scurrying across in the yard last night. Watching, waiting...
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