Caribbean hermit crab

Coenobita clypeatus

The Caribbean hermit crab is a species of land hermit crab native to the west Atlantic, Bahamas, Belize, southern Florida, Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, and the West Indies. Adults burrow and hide under the roots of large trees, and can be found a considerable distance inland. As with other terrestrial crabs, they use modified gills to breathe air. Their shells help maintain the humidity necessary for gas exchange to function.
Coenobita clypeatus This is a picture of Coenobita clypeatus in Fort Pierce, Florida. Caribbean hermit crab,Coenobita clypeatus,Geotagged,Summer,United States

Behavior

The West Indian top snail shell is often used for its home, and the hermit crab can use its larger claw to cover the aperture of the shell for protection against predators. As with other species of hermit crabs, ''C. clypeatus'' may engage in "shell fights" and can emit a chirping noise when stressed. Typically, the Caribbean hermit crab's left claw is larger in size than its right claw and is purple in color.
Big hermit crab This is quite a big hermit crab and he found himself a sizable shell to protect himself. Spotted at a beach in Bako National Park, Sarawak Borneo Asia,Bako,Borneo,Caribbean hermit crab,Coenobita clypeatus,Hermit Crab,Malaysia,National park,Sarawak

Reproduction

Female land hermit crabs release fertilized eggs into the ocean. The spawning occurs on certain nights, usually around August.
Three hermit crabs These three hermit crabs were found at a beach in Sarawak, Borneo Asia,Borneo,Caribbean hermit crab,Coenobita clypeatus,Geotagged,Hermit Crab,Malaysia,Sarawak

Food

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, including the Mona ground iguana, ''Cyclura stejnegeri''.

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassMalacostraca
OrderDecapoda
FamilyCoenobitidae
GenusCoenobita
SpeciesC. clypeatus
Photographed in
Malaysia
United States of America