The feeding behaviour of the sand crab Scopimera inflata (Decapoda, Ocypodidae)

A sequence of activities all related to the feeding of Scopimera inflata H. Milne-Edwards, 1873 can be distinguished during the daytime periods of low tide. Emergence begins one to two hours after a feeding area is uncovered, reaches a peak after a further three hours but some crabs are still emerging after the tide has turned. Before feeding commences the burrow is cleared of waste sand down to the water-table. While feeding S. inflata forms a feeding trench which acts as an escape route back to the hole and is defended against other crabs of the same species. Agonistic behaviour becomes evident as feeding progresses. Threat displays, fighting, displacement feeding, and agitation feeding are recognizable behaviour patterns which have been observed.