Found in mangroves, salt marshes, and on sandy or muddy beaches fiddler crabs are easily recognized by their distinctively asymmetric claws. Fiddler crabs communicate by a sequence of waves and gestures; males have an oversized claw; used in clashes of combat of courtship over a female and signal their intentions. The movement of the smaller claw from ground to mouth during feeding underlines the crabs' common name; it seems that the crab plays the larger claw somewhat like a fiddle.
This cache is located in the Estero Bay State Buffer Preserve. The Aquatic Preserve was established in 1966 and consists primarily of the Estero River and its tributaries. As you walk the trails you will see scrubby flatwoods, pine flatwoods, salt marshes and salt flats bordering the mangroves. Please remain on marked trails. All plants and animals are protected within the preserve.
The Red Trail hike is about a 5 mile loop. Bring plenty of water and bug spray. This part of the trail is often underwater. Lots of fiddler crabs and wading birds inhabit this part of the park.
Please be careful with the cache hiding spot.