Mangrove Crab Reproduction At Sandos Caracol

Want to witness the mangrove crab reproduction cycle? During the months of September and October guests at Sandos Caracol Eco Resport and Spa will have an opportunity to witness the peak time in the reproductive cycle of mangrove crabs.

These large, land-dwelling crabs live in and among mangroves, and they have a variety of significant ecological roles. They maintain the energy chain in mangrove areas by burying and consuming vegetative debris, and they contribute to the airation and health of the ground by burrowing their large holes in the earth and mud.

Mangrove crab eggs, which they lay on the edges of the water, provide a key food source for young fish.  Mangrove crabs, themselves, are also a key source of food for threatened birds, such as the Crab Plover.

Removing these crabs from an area has been shown to cause increases in chemicals such as sulfides and ammonium which negativly impacts the overall health and productivity of the mangrove forest.

Visitors to Sandos Caracol can learn more about the important role of these crabs by reviewing some of the following resources:

Smithsonian Marine Station

Network of Aqauculture Centers

Mud Crab Aquculture