Friday, May 15, 2009
Tree-climbing / Vinegar crab first day of trip ( mangroves ) ,,
we saw tree climbing crabs !
They lived in mounts made by the mud lobsters (
below).
They are sized from 4-5 cm.
They are primarily leaf-eaters and are known as pests of mangrove plantations for their habit of attacking propagules. They will also scavenge meat like many other crabs. The Teochew are known to pickle this crab in black sauce with vinegar, and take it with porridge (
so they call them vinegar crabs (: ) .
Extra knowledge :
Of the three species found in Singapore, the Violet vinegar crab (E. versicolor) is one of the most common species, with a distinctive violet palm and the fingers white-tipped. It prefers the seaward part of the mangroves.
Mud LobsterWe did not get to see the mud lobster at the mangroves D:
They hide under 2 m of the mud mount and are rarely seen.
They are up to 30cm.
The mud lobster is a very important member of the mangrove ecosystem. It excavates extensive catacombs, bringing the mud to the surface and forming characteristic volcano-like mounds which form a topographically distinct zone next to the back mangrove.
As we wrote earlier, the mud mounds are homes for the tree-climbing animals. Other animals also live in the mounds so the mud lobster really is important.
Mud lobsters feed on organic matter in the mud, and for this reason, they are not popular as food although they are eaten.
courtesy of
http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/2064.htmYUME :D
Environmentalist Blogged:12:10 AM
Tree-climbing / Vinegar crab 
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