Natal river crab

Distribution

This species is widespread in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from the foothills of the Drakensberg to the coast from Port Shepstone to Lake Sibayi. They are also found in the South African provinces of the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, Free State, Eastern Cape, and in the countries of Swaziland and Mozambique.

Behavior

These crabs commonly shelter in burrows that they dig into the side of muddy river banks or under rocks in rivers. They come out from their shelters at night or after rain. They mate outside of water and the female carries the eggs and young under her broad tail until they are fully formed miniature crabs. She then releases them into quiet pools in streams where the juveniles spend much of their time in the water. The young shelter under leaves, stones and among tree roots that enter the water. They spend more time on land as they mature.