Every year around the last few days of September and the first few days of October, along the magnificent views of the moon; Cancun gets a special visitor. Thousands of giant blue crabs (Cardisoma guanhumi), try to cross the dangerous path that divides the Nichupte Lagoon from the beach.
If you have ever driven the road that goes across the touristic area in Cancun, I think you have a good idea of the catastrophic results of thousands of crab trying to cross that very busy street. Environmentalist, government agencies and the general public decided to work together in a campaign to help blue crabs have a safe journey.
The Blue crab protection campaign was founded in 1991, it is a very popular activity among families with kids and all sorts of volunteers. The amount of crabs coming out, depends on the amount of rain, the rainier the season; the more crabs make the treacherous journey.
Get to know the blue crab
The blue crab is one of the biggest specimens, they can grow as big as 14 inches. Adults have blue-gray color, while the young are usually orange or brown, and weight up to a pound or more.
Blue crabs are herbivorous, as most of the species feed on fruits, coconuts and mangrove leaves. They often live in muddy beaches, mangrove swamps, coconut trees and can be found inland. Crabs tend to dig caves and hide during the day and at night they leave their burrows and are very active.
The reproductive cycle is closely linked to seasonal weather patterns and moon phases. With the arrival of heavy rains during the rainy season in the tropics, the crabs begin migration. The males mate with mature females during the months of July, August and September. Most females can be seen carrying their eggs externally. After about two weeks the eggs hatch and should be released in salt water, the typical development time from birth to the first crab stage adult is approx. 42 days.
What can I do to help?
This Blue crab species is endangered, the fast growth of Cancun, amount of hotels and cars makes this trip extremely dangerous. Environmentalist believe that the loss of free beaches and hatching areas can affect the population of these attractive species. If you would like to volunteer for this event registration begins at 6:30p.m. at each meeting point.
When:
October 8th, 9th and 10th
7:00 PM
Where:
The following beaches in Cancun: Playa del Niño, Playa Las Perlas, Playa El Mirador II, Punta Nizuc and Tajamar.
If you want to join the effort it is important to bring one of more of the following items:
– Flashlight
– Bait Gloves (you can find them in any hardware shop as “Guantes de Carnaza”)
– Bucket
– Dustpan
– White clothing
– Insect repellent
Want to know more:
If you want to receive more information about this and other preservation efforts in the Cancun area, follow the Ecology Department of Cancun;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ecologia-Cancun
Twitter: @ecologiaBJ
Now if you have any question about this or any of the TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE properties we have listed in Playa Del Carmen, The Riviera Maya or anywhere throughout Mexico, please feel free to contact any of our TOP MEXICO EXPERT SALES TEAM and we will be glad to help you find your very own piece of paradise.
And remember, here at TOP MEXICO REAL ESTATE…
We make it happen!