Caribbean hermit crab
Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus)
The Caribbean hermit crab, also called the soldier crab, West Atlantic crab, tree crab, or purple pincher, is a land-dwelling crab found in the west Atlantic, including Belize, southern Florida, Venezuela, and the West Indies. Its left claw is usually larger and purple.
These crabs live on land but must stay in humid conditions. They breathe air through modified gills and rely on the moisture inside their shells to help gas exchange.
They often hide by burrowing under the roots of large trees and can travel quite a distance inland.
Reproduction happens when females release fertilized eggs into the ocean. Spawning, known locally as “washing,” usually occurs on certain nights around August.
Diet and behavior: They eat both plant and animal matter, including leftovers, overripe fruit, and animal feces (even from other animals like the Mona ground iguana). They typically live in shells of the West Indian top snail (Cittarium pica) and use their large left claw to cover the shell’s opening for protection. They may engage in shell fights and can chirp when stressed.
Pets: This species is one of the two land hermit crabs commonly sold in the United States, the other being the Ecuadorian hermit crab.
Lifespan: In the wild they can live about 12 years, though some owners report crabs living much longer.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:21 (CET).