Porcelain crabs – a flat, round body (perfectly adapted to life between rocks) with two large front claws, these delicate crabs readily lose limbs when attacked, and use their large claws for maintaining territories.Oregon shore crab – Hemigrapsis oregonensis is a similar species with setae or small hairs on its legs, a distinguishing characteristic the other two lack.Lined shore crabs – Pachygrapsus crassipes, whose chelipeds lack spots.These markings distinguish it from the similar… The color of the legs matches the color of the carapace but the white-tipped claws are a lighter color with purple or red spots. Purple shore crabs – Hemigrapsis nudus (pictured above) reaches sizes of approximately 4.0–5.6 cm and is generally dark purple in color, although it may be olive green or red, with white or cream markings.Crawling about between rock crevices and amongst the blades of kelp and marine algae are a diverse number of small crabs, each with its own distinguishing characteristics. Hermits are not the only crabs you’ll observe in the tide pools. As the hermit crab grows, it will seek out a larger shell. The snail shell at the top is inhabited by a hermit crab. There are more than 1000 species of hermit crabs -decapod crustaceans that possess an asymmetrical abdomen that is concealed in a scavenged mollusc shell which it carries around.
Take a closer look, however. Some of these snails are not like the other. Omnivorous, they eat kelp blades and both live and dead animal material. Their predators include the seastars , octopus, moon snails, and gulls. Most active at night, often move up and down the beach with the tide. They can be found nearshore on fairly quiet, protected beaches and farther offshore on more exposed beaches. While burrowing it raises its long siphon up through the sand as a snorkel. The foot is wedge shaped to facilitate plowing. Olivella biplicata, commonly known as purple dwarf olive snails, burrow themselves in sand, leaving a plowed trail behind it. Purple Olive SnailsĪs you walk nearer the shoreline to the waters edge, you may see tiny little bumps in the sand. There is often driftwood and marine debris along the high tide line, pushed up against the base of the cliff atop the rocks and small boulders. Upon hiking down the south trail you will first come to a small sandy beach. Let’s now begin our guided hike of the south cove at Cape Arago. Nearby, there are two additional state parks: Sunset Bay (a sandy beach protected by towering sea cliffs – perfect for sunbathing and swimming) and Shore Acres (a lushly planted garden perched on rugged sandstone cliffs high above the ocean – once the famed estate of Louis Simpson). The north trail lets visitors view offshore colonies of seals and sea lions (however, the trail is closed from March – June to protect the seal pups during birthing season). Visitors to the area can also enjoy whale watching, crabbing, fishing, and scuba diving. The south trail leads to tide pools teaming with diverse sea life. Tucked away below the cliffs, a short walk along the steep trails will take you to a secluded cove where tide pools and fossils can be found. The tide pools at Cape Arago are incomparable. Here, you’ll find easy access to both the North and South Coves of Cape Arago. Today, I am delighted to take you on a guided tide pool “hike” to one of the hidden gems of the Oregon seashore. I spent many long summer days exploring the tide pool and estuarine habitats in my neighborhood.Ī naturalist at heart, I have inundated myself in ecology and natural sciences ever since, completing the coursework to become an Oregon Coast Master Naturalist a few years ago. Fish and Wildlife Service to inquire if local seashell collecting rules have changed.Having grown up on the Oregon coast, I have been fascinated by marine animals since I was a young girl. If you can't tell the difference, don't risk removing a living creature from its natural habitat. Dead shells are likely to be bleached white and found washed up on the shore. Living sand dollars tend to have a greenish color and tiny hairs, and are found half-buried in shallow water. But the most abundant sea creature here is the sand dollar.Ĭollecting sand dollars in the state park is permitted, with one important disclaimer-never collect live specimens. The tide pools here are home to hermit crabs, white shrimp, and diamondback terrapins. It features five miles of pristine beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, the longest fishing pier on the Eastern seaboard, and a lighthouse which is accessible to the public. Located 16 miles east of Beaufort, Hunting Island State Park is South Carolina's most-visited state park, and for good reason.
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