Wrangling the land crabs

Oh yes, this is a very interesting eco-system. Well, maybe the relative way to say it is, this eco-system is NADA like living in the big city. First, the cuadimundi (quadimundi, “el tejon”), then the frogs in the toilet (“ranas”) — did I blog about them? No? — and now the land crabs.

And no point mentioning the various sizes of gecko living in the palapa roof. Hah, the other nite we were watching TV and I heard this subtle “splat”. Looked over and there was a small gecko on the tile floor looking like he had just gotten his bell rung really hard. Ken went over to pick him up and he scurried away. So, todo esta bien, yo pienso.

Back to the cangritos de la tierra. Last night we had our first big thunder/lightening storm since living here. This is what will be pretty common for the summer months as this is when the coast gets all the water for the year. This being a jungle, I imagine we will get a LOT of rain.

We watched it come from the west (just below Cabo San Lucas) for a few hours before it arrived with big thunder, crashing, lights, water. At one point, it cracked HUGE overhead and we saw a burst of light — looking like it had either incinerated the clothesline or the BBQ grill. (Neither as it turns out.)

Lost electricity after that….didnt come back on until, oooh, 11:00AM or so. But that is not the story. We decided to go out for breakfast to the next town over (Sayulita). Walked to the car in the driveway and there are hundreds, seriously, of land crabs skittering here and there. They are everywhere.

Here’s the funny thing. First, they are way bigger than I thought they would be (people have told us about being in the middle of land crab migrations), anywhere from 2″ (claw to claw) to 5″-6″. Seriously. Yeah, I know, this isnt funny yet. OK, they are really fast sideways, forward, backward. And very good about defending themselves, reaching up to pinch anything that looks like it is attacking (we are trying to move them away from the car and to safe places).

Finally, and here is the funny part: they really DO have eyes on the top of their carapace (the shell body), like, just stuck there on top rising up from the shell, not imbedded or protected  – kind of like an afterthought or Mr. Potatohead. I mean, I have seen animated crabs in movies (think Finding Nemo) look like this but I always thought they designed the bugeyes as a caricature. No.

Here’s the story: they live in the earth, burrowed down, until the rain comes. This really confuses them I guess because they dont want to be IN the water, just moist earth. So, the water is coming and this sends some kind of signal to rise up (Agua! Agua! Agua!) Not coincidentally, I think, this is their mating season and they are SUPPOSED to leave the earth and go to the sea. But, adding to the confusion, we are on a hill maybe 50 feet away and 100 feet above the sea.

All day, yes, hundreds of them are wandering around in the yard and house (seriously, again) looking to get back to the earth and find the sea. Those eyes on the top of their head arent helping much.

We are not sure what the protocol is — like, what do the locals do about them. But, mi esposo is all about saving and helping living creatures (geckos, ranas, spiders, you-name-it) and I admit it has rubbed off on me after 39 years. So we have been spending the day shooing them out of the house and down to the earth (off the deck). In fact, I can hear their little claws scratching the door to my office as I write

What is VERY interesting is watching these little guys react to the human force looming over them. The fear is so obvious as their claws and legs (4 extra, need two to stand) flail about and their little tiny mouths gape open. Oh gosh, my heart goes out to them because I KNOW I am only going to help them be in a better place but they dont know this.

It makes me think How many times am I afraid when there is something happening I dont understand….and truly the presence of the Divine is all around me, protecting me and helping me get to a better place, but I am so afraid I cant even see it and can only flail my arms…?

Well, life lessons so often come from nature which is why, in spite of this VERY interesting eco-system, I am grateful to be here, learning them.