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Writer's pictureCari Mackey

Black and Red Halloween Crabs in Panama.

Updated: Apr 24, 2023


Jungle and beach? These colorful guys are living the dream while making the tropical landscape colorful, fun, and mayyybeee a bit creepy? This time of year we are receiving our first hints of humidity and maybe, hopefully a quick rain. Reminds me of the fall in the mountains when everyone is hoping for snow and dreaming of powder days.


This crab burrows into the jungle floor sometimes several feet deep and, unlike me, they are out all night chowing down on the jungle floor. You know why that's awesome? They, like the termites I taught you about create a natural system of aeration allowing the jungle to absorb the incredible rains we receive.

This system hooks up the trees and beautiful plants of the jungle with the moisture they need to survive months without rain, and they are eating and pooping er, planting seeds to facilitate forest growth and reforestation! I think I just fell in love.


After several months of dormancy, the first rains begin to drip into their burrows waking them up. So, much like the smell of freshly baked bread on a side street in San Francisco, their bellies are telling them: "it is time to eat!"


This is when it gets a bit creepy. They come out of the ground by the thousands and it looks like the ground is a moving sea of crabs. You feel like the grim reaper if you're driving, and like you're in a frogger game if you're walking the path from our restaurant to your room. They are everywhere!

Filling the bellies of birds, providing entertainment for Tila, cruising down to the mangrove to make babies, and adding to the symphony of the jungle that lulls our guests to sleep at night. We hope life is amazing for you and if you have any fun crab stories (not that kind of crabs) to share, we'd love to hear from you!

Your Friends in Morrillo, Cari and Ryan Mackey Owners and Hosts Morrillo Beach Eco Resort

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