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Kōrero: Estuaries

Mud crab at its burrow

Image
Mud crab at its burrow

Tunnelling mud crabs or kairau are found in their thousands in estuarine muds. These aggressive animals will defend their territory if another crab advances too close to their burrow entrance. Young crabs are usually olive-grey in colour, similar to the muds they inhabit. Older crabs, like this one, are often more colourful.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10032630

by Lindsey MacFarlane

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Maggy Wassilieff, Estuaries – Small animals of the estuary, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/4634/mud-crab-at-its-burrow (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Maggy Wassilieff, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.