The Sally Lightfoot crab, sometimes called the red rock crab, is a common sight on rocky beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the Americas, from Florida down to Brazil. Adults, which have carapace widths of around 5-8 centimeters, are generally bright red, brown, or orange with various patterns, while young Sally Lightfoot crabs are darker-colored. Sally Lightfoot crabs spend most of their time hiding away in rock crevices, but when they come out to feed they move with the remarkable agility and speed that give them their common name. While they feed, powerful waves often crash over them, but they are able to withstand these by flattening themselves against rocks and holding on tightly. Although these crabs mainly eat red and green algae, they will eat practically anything they can get, including mussels, barnacles, other crabs, young sea turtles, dead fish. The sketch is direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
A SKETCHBOOK ODYSSEY 