"Crabs of Changi" Top 5 Page for this destination Singapore Travelogue by bpacker

Singapore Travel Guide: 13,345 reviews and 25,378 photos

Julius the crab, basking in the sun - Singapore

If you go to Changi at extremely low tide, you'll encounter some colourful denizens. Some of them are shy, some are fierce but all are a little comical. Yes, which other animal would have eyes on stalks and walk sideways?

Julius wondered why he got more and more orange...

Orange swimming crab
Thalamita anisodon
Family Portunidae

This edible fella swims extremely fast in the water and is a tasty alternative to the more commonly eaten flower crab. But once it feels threatened, it'll wave its pincers in the air like a samurai waving his swords .

Sergei loved watching Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler crab
Uca sp.
Family Ocypodidae

This cute fella is called the fiddler crab and this is obviously a male since he has one huge pincer. Do you know that the pincer is not used to hunt or crush food but to attract the lady crabs?? Of course, the bigger the pincer, the better. The mating ritual just involves this chap swaying his pincer to and fro just like a .....fiddler.

Ceasar was considering going on the fat flush diet

Volute with Hermit Crab

The pretty shell you see on your right is known as the Volute (Voluta nobilis). But it has emptied out and taken over by a hermit crab who's a tad too large..

The Atkins Diet didn't work for Ceasar

Striped hermit crab
Clibanarius sp.
Suborder Anomura

Itchy and Scratchy : Face/Off

Soldier crab
Dotilla myctiroides
Family Ocypodidae

These comical looking fellas are soldier crabs. They have characteristic ball-like bodies, eyes on stalks and downward pointing pincers. God was definitely in a humourous mood when he created them.

Red egg crab
Atergatis integerrimus
Family Xanthidae

I think you know by now, the more colourful a crab is, the more poisonous it is. This crab is definitely toxic though it looks strangely docile.

Alpha male on the prowl

Fiddler crab
Uca sp.
Family Ocypodidae

Yet another fiddler. This chap is vermillion and possibly very verile. You see, the males often brighten up during mating season. Guess there is no need to buy a red sports car when you can change your body colour.

Page Updated Jan 3, 2008
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Comments (134)

staindesign Mar 13, 2012 at 6:54 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic writing style! I love when people tell little stories or explain their experiences more than just the how, what, and where. I suppose my favorite part of finding cool people on VT is how nice it is to live vicariously through their experience, in case I might not make it to EVERY destination I desire in life! Thanks again!
cyndymc Dec 26, 2011 at 7:10 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for a very well-written travel guide on Singapore. I found do many helpful tips that will help me when I visit my daughter who is working there.
eriksson977 Sep 25, 2009 at 8:30 AM Report Abuse

Hello Glen, Outstanding pages. Thanks for the virtual tour. Tomas Eriksson :)
bxf Aug 23, 2009 at 11:20 AM Report Abuse

Why would anybody quote a price in a currency other than the one in use locally? Firstly, the entire world is not American. Secondly, exchange rates fluctuate, so a figure in a foreign currency is useless.
bijo69 Nov 4, 2008 at 4:05 AM Report Abuse

Great tips Glen! Looking forward to my visit to Singapore!!!
bpacker Aug 22, 2008 at 3:01 AM Report Abuse

Alternateuniverse: LOL, everyone knows well enough not to take whatever I write literally. It's supposed to be funny so do read in between the lines..
alternateuniverse Jun 4, 2008 at 2:31 AM Report Abuse

Uh, you won't get fined if you chew bubblegum in Singapore. That's legal. You will only get fined if you're caught SELLING bubblegum.
lovemarie May 26, 2008 at 6:39 PM Report Abuse

Your posts are very helpful! me and my husband are planning to go to Singapore in July..
ECYM Mar 31, 2008 at 12:06 AM Report Abuse

pls note that the Imperial Herbal Restaurant at Metropole Hotel has moved to Vivocity http://www.imperialherbal.com/
robertgaz Mar 12, 2008 at 8:48 PM Report Abuse

I can't do Chimay on a pils budget so the NSS sounds supreme!