Free+Journal+Entry+3

November 23rd marks my third visit to Hanauma Bay. The behavior of the Blennies and crabs that I am studying has not changed. Both animals flee at my approach, but return a minute later, as they have done before. The Blennies and crabs seem to prefer camouflage and shelter when escaping my gaze. When they sense my presence, the Blennies dart behind rocky overhangs or lie motionless so that they are somewhat indistinguishable from the mottled surface of the tide pool. The crabs do not employ methods of camouflage. Instead, they scuttle into the shadows of the stone mound, where I can neither reach them or (not always) see them. This also adheres to the Blenny and crab's initial reactions.





I may be mistaken about the predator/prey relationship between the crabs and the blennies. With the knowledge that both crabs and blennies are scavengers, I can conclude that if crabs scavenge for food, then they are not suited to hunting for food. I can also conclude that if crabs do not consume live blennies, then they either have the same diet as the blennies, or feed on some food resource that I am not aware of. These hypothese are bolstered by my observation of a crab residing in the same tide pool that is occupied by the blennies that I am studying. If these two animals can live in harmony, then they cannot be engaged in a predator/prey relationship.

Another factor to consider is the presence of neighboring tide pools and the animals that reside within and around them. There are at least two large, fist-sized crabs, and many other blennies, some of which are three or more inches long. The presence of these animals may impact the lives of the animals I am studying in multilateral ways. Territorial and mating engagements within the crab and Blenny populations probably involve more aspects than meet the eye, and require further examination.

There is yet another biotic concern. This concern applies to diet and feeding habits. Scattered across the rocky surface that supports the many tide pools are land/water dwelling snails. These snails feed on algae, and if my suspicions are correct, then the crabs and blennies also feed on algae. Based on the fact that Hanauma Bay was formed long ago, I can conclude that these three animals are able to coexist without conflict, that although they have the same diets, are able to survive without starving to the extent of extinction.

My main concerns are what species of crab and Blenny I am dealing with, and what their diet consists of. After speaking with a Hanauma Bay faculty member, I have obtained two pieces of information. First of all, the assortment of tourist displays in the front entrance of Hanuama bay does not contain my desired information, and secondly, that I can obtain specific details of the animals by calling the Hanauma Bay education services at 397-5840.