Wait! What is that thing?

 These incredible crustaceans, denizens of the sandy bottom of the shallows in the Gulf of Mexico, were caught a few weeks ago while I was playing in the surf.  The top left is what I believe to be a slipper lobster. This crustacean, while it has no claws, (that is not what it felt like to me), uses this enlarged antennae to dig through the sediment in search for food.  (Again, not what I am seeing, identification is welcomed).  They are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever happens to come their way, whether it is a dead fish or some shrimp. 

This second picture is of what is commonly known as a sand flea. These small burrowing crustaceans, when uncovered, can disappear into their gritty home with startling speed and fluidity.  Simply digging a hole at the edge of the surf zone can uncover hundreds of tiny ones or maybe a fairly large one, one to two inches long.  My library of reference books has very little about the sand flea, so I don't know what they eat or their habits.  Help is wanted!!

Somethin' Sandy

This beautiful crustacean is what is known as a sand crab.  In shape, it looks just like any other crab.  In color, however, it is very different.  It has a beautiful reticulate pattern to help it camouflage  itself in its sandy habitat.  They are fairly adept swimmers, but when a predator is around (aka, me) they prefer to bury themselves under the sand with nothing but their eyes showing.  I would not have seen him if he hadn't been in the process of doing this.  The movement caught my eye.  They don't normally get as large as blue crabs, but it is still not something that 5 year olds should pick up, as they can still deliver a nasty pinch.  .... Still, it is a really pretty crab.