A small ghost crab was seen preying on a venomous sea snake on Chandrabhaga beach in eastern India.

Footage recorded on February 9 shows the crustacean dragging the yellow-bellied sea snake down into its sandy burrow.

Photographer Shakti Nanda said: "I had a feeling the crab was up to something, so I was ready with my camera.”

Subhendu Mallik of Snake Helpline said: “Crabs feeding on sea snakes is reported only in literature. We were lucky to witness it.”

Ghost crabs tend to prey on small animals including sea turtle eggs and hatchlings, clams, and other crabs.

In a rare incident, a small ghost crab was filmed preying on a venomous sea snake at Chandrabhaga beach in eastern India on February 9.

Wildlife photographer Shakti Nanda and Subhendu Mallik, founder of Snake Helpline, spotted a dying Yellow-bellied sea snake on the beach during a stroll.

A ghost crab came out of a nearby burrow but immediately retreated after seeing the snake. But it seems to have realised that the dying snake was in no condition to threaten it. It came out a few times though to keep a wary watch.

As even the faint movements of the snake stopped, the crab caught hold of it with its legs and dragged it into its burrow.

Shakti Nanda said: "I had a feeling the crab was up to something, so I was ready with my camera.”


Subhendu said: “Crabs feeding on sea snakes is reported only in literature. We were lucky to witness it.”