Ghost crabs are generalists, scavenging carrion and debris, as well as preying on small animals, including sea turtle eggs and hatchlings, clams, and other crabs.
Raccoons, martens, fishers and large arboreal snakes can predate eggs, hatchlings, fledgings and occasionally incubating and brooding adults.
Hatchlings are almost entirely carnivorous, feeding on insects, spiders, crustaceans, tadpoles, fish, and carrion.
Hatchlings enter the ocean by navigating toward the brighter horizon created by the reflection of the moon and starlight off the water's surface.
However, a few species (such as the king cobra) actually construct nests and stay in the vicinity of the hatchlings after incubation.
The hatchlings are brooded for approximately 12 to 14 days and then fledge at that time.
In the case of water birds, for instance, the first journey of hatchlings might be of many yards from the nest site to the water.
Additional study is needed to document embryo developmental stage at hatching and size-dependent risks to hatchlings in a stream environment.
