Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus)
Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus)
In case you go look for a pet crab, you might as well pick the Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus); also called the Purple Pincher, West Atlantic Crab, or Soldier Crab. However, note it is no true crab but more related to lobsters because it lacks a uniformly hard exoskeleton and is unable to grow its own shell, hence fighting for shells of dead snails. The crab is caught in the western Atlantic coastline and fits in the family Coenobitidae. The Caribbean Hermit Crab is both herbivorous and scavenger. As a terrestrial creature, it prefers to burrow and seek shelter beneath the roots of large trees.
The Caribbean Hermit Crab has an overall length between 2”-6” (5.1-15.2 cm), shell width of 1.2”-3.1” (3-8 cm), height of 1.4”-3.9” (3.5-10 cm), and weight between .22-1 lb (.1-.45 kg). The typical lifespan of the Caribbean Hermit Crab is between 15-30 years.
In case you go look for a pet crab, you might as well pick the Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus); also called the Purple Pincher, West Atlantic Crab, or Soldier Crab. However, note it is no true crab but more related to lobsters because it lacks a uniformly hard exoskeleton and is unable to grow its own shell, hence fighting for shells of dead snails. The crab is caught in the western Atlantic coastline and fits in the family Coenobitidae. The Caribbean Hermit Crab is both herbivorous and scavenger. As a terrestrial creature, it prefers to burrow and seek shelter beneath the roots of large trees.
The Caribbean Hermit Crab has an overall length between 2”-6” (5.1-15.2 cm), shell width of 1.2”-3.1” (3-8 cm), height of 1.4”-3.9” (3.5-10 cm), and weight between .22-1 lb (.1-.45 kg). The typical lifespan of the Caribbean Hermit Crab is between 15-30 years.