Anything you need to know about the Species of Hermit Crabs

Although there are around 600 species of hermit crabs all over the world, only a few species are available in the United States as pets. In other parts of the world such as in Australia, the most common pet hermit crabs are the C. variabili and a few people own the popular 'strawberry' hermit crab, the C. perlatus. In Japan, there are only two know local species that they keep as pets.

What are the most common Hermit Crab Species

If you want to learn more, here are some facts about the species of hermit crabs commonly kept as pets in the United States.

• Coenobita brevimanus.
  This is the second biggest hermit crab in the family Coenobitidae, only second to Birgus latro. It is originally from the African east coast and also in the south western coast of the Pacific Ocean. It has spherical eyes with dark eye stalks. Its exoskeleton is dark purple or brown in color.
• Coenobita cavipes.
  These hermit crabs native homeland is in some Asian countries and also eastern Africa. This species only go to the beach when it's time for mating, but usually, they remain in the forests. They also love fruits and molt more frequently than other hermit crabs. Their body color is usually orange or brown.
• Coenobita clypeatus.
  Also called the 'Carribean hermit crab', 'tree crab', 'purple pincher', and the 'soldier crab'. They live in the Carribean Sea and also around Florida, the Bermuda Islands, and Venezuela. This is the most common species for pets. It has a purple claw and can live for up to 30 to 40 years!
• Coenobita compressus.
  Sometimes referred to as 'Ecuadorian hermit crab' or the 'Pacific hermit crab, this is also another species of pet hermit crab you will usually find in pet shops. They are one of the smallest species among all the species of hermit crab. They can grow for only up to 12mm. They walk very fast, so it is better to keep an eye on them all the time or they might just escape from you. Their color could be yellow, orange, or dark grey.
• Coenobita perlatus.
  These are found in Australia but are also available in the United States. They are called 'strawberry hermit crabs' because of their distinctive red color with small spots of white, just like strawberries. Young C. perlatus are somewhat pale in color—pale red or orange and sometimes even white. When they turn into adult hermit crabs, you will now observe the bright red color that they are known for. In the wild, they can reach up to 30 years, but when kept s pets, they can live for as long as 32 years.
• Coenobita rugosus.
  Fondly called ruggie, this species originally thrived along the coasts of Australia, east Africa, and also the south western Pacific. These hermit crabs make sounds, like chirping sounds of birds, whenever they feel threatened. What they do is they rub their pincer on the shell to make the sound. They come in a variety of colors, depending on their diets or the foods they eat. They are commonly green, brown, or tan; and a few are black, white, pink, or blue in color.

Among these more exotic pets you will only find a few species of hermit crabs. However there are many more different species of hermit crabs in the wild.

Prepared By : Nesma Mohammed