thumb|A Caribbean hermit crab in the [[Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida]]

The Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), also known as the soldier crab, Venezuela, and the West Indies.

Description

Adults burrow and hide under the roots of large trees, and can be found a considerable distance inland. Typically, the Caribbean hermit crab's left claw is larger in size than its right claw and is purple in color. Female land hermit crabs release fertilized eggs into the ocean. The spawning (called "washing" in the English-speaking Caribbean) occurs on certain nights, usually around August.

Ecology

Caribbean hermit crabs are both herbivorous and scavengers. In the wild, C. clypeatus feeds on animal and plant remains, overripe fruit, and faeces of other animals,

Pet Trade

This species is one of the two land hermit crabs commonly sold in the United States as pets, the other being the Ecuadorian hermit crab, C. compressus. C. clypeatus has been confirmed to live as long as 12 years, and some crab owners have claimed to have crabs live up to 40 years.

References

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  • Coenobita Species
  • Hermit Crabs Burrow Themselves
  • Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coenobita clypeatus Page