Giant Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi)

The Giant Land Crab or Blue Land Crab is the largest terrestrial crab found in Bermuda. It occupies a burrow, excavated in muddy coastal areas and mangrove habitats, with a pool of saltwater at the bottom where the crab can wet its gills.

Giant Land Crabs will scavenge dead animals, and also eat a variety of coastal plants such as Red and Black Mangroves, Buttonwood and grasses.

In Bermuda Giant Land Crabs have become rare due to historic harvesting, poisoning, predation by invasive species and habitat loss. These crabs and their habitats are protected by law under the Protected Species Act 2003. A protected species management plan for this species was published in 2020.

Giant Land Crabs migrate from their burrows to the sea in the summer months to breed and release their eggs into salt water. During this time they are vulnerable to traffic and becoming trapped or disoriented in Bermuda’s suburban environment. Members of the public who see a Giant Land Crab are encouraged to report their sighting to the Department. If you observe a crab that is not in immediate danger, please leave it alone to continue its journey. If you find a crab in the road, or one that is trapped or injured, please contact the DENR or BAMZ by calling 293-2727 for assistance. The public are reminded that it is an offence under the Protected Species Act 2003 to disturb, injure or kill a Giant Land Crab or destroy its burrow.

Learn More:

• Management Plan for the Giant Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) in Bermuda [PDF].

• Protected Species information booklet [PDF].