New Zealand Seashore

DSC_7444 Tunnelling mud crab (Austrohelice crassa) excavating burrow. Scavenges through mud for organic detritus, and occasionally feeding on bleached decomposing sea lettuce. Tolerant of fresh water, and penetrating far into estuaries. Papanui Inlet, Otago Peninsula.

1181 / 2139

DSC_7444 Tunnelling mud crab (Austrohelice crassa) excavating burrow. Scavenges through mud for organic detritus, and occasionally feeding on bleached decomposing sea lettuce. Tolerant of fresh water, and penetrating far into estuaries. Papanui Inlet, Otago Peninsula.

DSC 7444 Tunnelling mud crab Austrohelice crassa helice estuary Papanui Inlet Otago Peninsula