Fiddler crabs are one of the most noticeable of saltmarsh dwellers. These small crustaceans—typically 1 to 2 inches across the back as adults—are named for the male’s large claw, which it uses to attract females and guard its burrow. Fiddlers are an important link in the marsh food chain, scavenging minute animals and tiny bits of plant matter from the mud while themselves falling prey to blue crabs, wading birds, and raccoons. Their burrows also play a big role in marsh dynamics—cycling nutrien