On some stretches of the Texas coast, ghost crabs scurry by the hundreds, darting sideways across the sand like tiny beach watchmen. But on others, they’ve all but disappeared.

During my 40-mile round-trip Beachcombing survey this week, I couldn’t help but notice the difference — some areas were full of life, while others were strangely quiet.

So where did the ghost crabs go?

Ghost crabs spend most of their lives just above the high tide line, digging burrows that can reach up to 4 feet deep. Even though they live above the water’s reach, they still need to keep their gills moist to breathe. Fine hair on their legs helps hold water so they can stay hydrated as they roam far from the surf. These burrows are their homes, offering shelter from predators, a refuge from the heat and a place

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