The Rise of the Crustaceans — Stephanie Fallows

Cypode was known as the Great Gulf Ghost Crab. His Latin name was Hoplocypode occidentalis and he came from the Gulf of California. He must have somehow clawed his way to Animalia. His two best mates were the Painted Ghost Crab known for short as ‘Painty' and the Atlantic Ghost Crab known as Pode. Normally the Gulf Ghost Crabs and Atlantic Ghost crabs don't come from the same area but in Animalia they had formed a great friendship. Painty was literally painted bright red in colour, and he had huge horns on his eyestalks. The horns made him look real nasty, but he was actually a pretty nice bloke. His gang of crablets lived close by to Cypode and Pode in the rocks by the beach. Together they had set up forces in burrows in the sandy beach close to where Emily lived.

Cypode, Painty and Pode had been observing Emily for a while and had noticed the evil Crusty lurking in the bushes spying on her. They disliked Crusty and did not trust him one bit. The Ghost Crabs were really fast on their feet and had survived feeding on the remains of dead crustaceans, usually those found near Crusty's cave, the ones who had been starved to death or punished. The Ghost Crabs were nocturnal and usually roamed around Animalia after sunset. Merspur came across Cypode, down by the beach feeding upon the remains of a crab.

The Ghost Crabs were all keen to join in for the kill.