A fiddler crab is a small crab most often found along sea beaches, lagoons and swamps. Fiddler crabs are most well known for their sexually dimorphic claws; the males’ major claw is much larger than the minor claw while the females’ claws are both the same size.

The male fiddler crab has many parts, and is easily recognisable by its claws of different shape and size. On each side of the crab are four walking legs. The legs situated closest to the eyes are called chelipeds, as they both have a claw (chela) on the end. On the other side of the eyes are antennae, which stick out on either side of the rostrum. The rostrum is the mouthpart of the crab and consists of both an upper and lower part.  The larger of the two chelipeds are divided into different segments. The closest to the body is known as the merus. The carpus connects the merus with the propodus – the largest segment. The protective shell on the back of the crab, or the carapace, serves as a protective cover.

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