Mole crabs, specifically the Pacific Mole Crab (Emerita analoga) as described in the provided reference, are found on exposed sandy beaches.
Based on the reference, these fascinating crustaceans make their home in specific areas of the beach environment:
- Exposed Sandy Beaches: This is their primary habitat.
- Buried in Shifting Sand: They spend a significant amount of time submerged just beneath the surface.
- Within the Swash Zone: This is the particular area of the beach where they prefer to reside and forage.
The Swash Zone Explained
The swash zone is a dynamic part of the coastline. It is defined as:
- The area on the beach where the waves wash up (run-up) and then recede back into the ocean (backwash).
- It lies between the highest point the wave reaches on the sand and the lowest point it recedes to.
Therefore, you can find mole crabs like Emerita analoga living actively within this constantly moving zone on sandy shores.
