Small brown/green pellets on Hilton Head Island beach?

[gregoryfata]

While vacationing on Hilton Head Island, we noticed at low tide the presence of many small holes that would allow water to rise and fall with the ebb of the tide. When the water rose through the holes, it would carry many small pellets, about 1/16th of an inch wide and about 1/8 of an inch long, out of the hole. Are those feces from small crabs that live in the sand, or is it from other creatures that live in the sand? None of us ever saw any animals that would be creating these pellets, but they were everywhere at low tide. Thanks for any info. Greg

[David]

Doubt it was feces as I know of no marine animal who produces it that floats. Would likely need photomicrographs to ID them or at least a close visual look with a hand lens or magnifying lens. Likely to be either some sort of plant debris or human trash.

[gregoryfata]

Doubt it was feces as I know of no marine animal who produces it that floats. Would likely need photomicrographs to ID them or at least a close visual look with a hand lens or magnifying lens. Likely to be either some sort of plant debris or human trash.

These were not floating. They would come up through the small holes on the beach and then settle on the sand as the tide slowly receded, leaving small piles around each hole. I wish I had taken a picture of it.

[rockeymoore]

Hi, I'm on Hilton Head beach right now and observed the same phenomenon. I have taken pictures so that those who know can tell us what it is....Unfortunately, the photo upload functioin of this website doesn't seem to be working so that i can share the photo.

[David]

:( Hi, I'm on Hilton Head beach right now and observed the same phenomenon. I have taken pictures so that those who know can tell us what it is....Unfortunately, the photo upload functioin of this website doesn't seem to be working so that i can share the photo.

Attach them as attachments (see below, it's working fine) or upload them to imageshack or any other of the hundreds of online photo site sites and insert it as a thumbnail or full image. Let me know if you have any further trouble.