NEOTROPICAL
Cardisoma guanhumi lives within several hundred meters of the shore, particularly along estuaries and river banks. It burrows in dense shrubbery, mud, or coastal sand above the tide line. Burrows can extend up to six feet underground, and contain small pools of water at the bottom. Cardisoma guanhumi shares its burrow with insects and other small arthropods. The atmospheres within such burrows typically have very high carbon dioxide concentrations because they are often sealed with mud.
They're found across most of the islands, though its presence is most significant in specific habitats and on certain islands.
Andros: Regarded as having the largest population in the Bahamas due to its vast, undeveloped landscape. The Bahamas National Trust established a 4,000-acre Crab Replenishment Reserve here specifically to protect these crabs.
Eleuthera: Known for significant populations, though they are reported as declining due to habitat development and invasive predators like raccoons.
New Providence: Still home to these crabs, though they are often found in smaller numbers near residential gardens and coastal areas.
They consume insects, carrion (dead animals), feces, and sometimes other smaller, soft-shelled crabs.