Mystery solved. After doing some research online, I’m pretty sure that these little critters are mole crabs, also known as sand crabs, sand bugs, or sand fleas. These small animals burrow in the wet sand of the swash zone and use their antennae for filter feeding. They can not dig in sand that is too dry or firmly packed. The sand has to have enough water to separate the grains and make the sand penetrable. Fishermen view the mole crab as great bait for such fish as pompano, redfish, sheepshead, and others. Shore birds find them a tasty morsel. Now we know!

свернуть