Ascension : Conservation Weekly - Ascension’s first crabs
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 27.03.2008 (Article Archived on 10.04.2008)

You may remember the Conservation Weekly article a few weeks ago that mentioned Ascension’s land crabs.

To recap, the land crabs migrate from Green Mountain down to the shoreline each year to mate and lay their eggs in the ocean. These small eggs will develop at sea for approximately 20 days. The generalized life cycle of juvenile crabs during this time includes three major stages: zoea, megalopae, and “first crabs.” The few juvenile crabs that survive to the “first crab” stage will make their way back to Ascension’s beaches and begin their ascent up the mountain.

The Conservation Department has received reports that the juvenile crabs are showing up on Long Beach.  If you happen to see any of these tiny crabs, please contact Susanna at x6359.   THANK YOU