#Coenobita clypeatus

[manilovehermitcrabs]

a personal shot of two members of my colony

[aquariuminfobureau]

Although land crabs regularly appear in the exotic pet trade, there is not much care information around for these species, excepting the most widely traded of the land hermit crabs, Coenobita clypeatus. For a while much confusion surrounded the rainbow crab of West Africa, Cardisoma armatum, and the moon crabs of the grnus Gecarcinus, which are imported from the opposite side of the Atlantic. I had myself thought the moon crabs, traded at a smaller size than the rainbow crabs, were a growth stage of that species. The similarities were not merely superficial, because both genera are members of Gecarcinidae, a major clade of land dwelling crabs. At least two species of Gecarcinus were turning up, these being G. lateralis and G. quadratus.

A well studied species, G. lateralis might be thought of as the ordinary moon crab, and most of my scientific information pertains from descriptions of this species, which is also called the Bermuda land crab and the black-back land crab, as well as some other names. Whatever it is being called, G. lateralis is present in coastal environments, where it lives above the tide mark, including where there is no standing water. Reportedly G. lateralis can grow to attain a carapace as long as 10 to even 12 centimeters, or 4 to almost 5 inches, and a legspan that is 15 centimeters or 6 inches. If such specimens exist then they are rare. A study of the burrowing behavior of this species in forest habitat, did not indicate any of such large crabs, their carapaces measuring closer to 5 centimeters or 2 inches when mature. However in a related species, G. ruricola, large males and slightly smaller females are demonstrated to possess carapaces about 9 centimeters wide, whilst 5 or 6 centimeters would be a more common carapace width.

The related species G. quadratus also has many names, but the Halloween (moon or land) crab is by far the most widely encountered, at least in the exotic pet trade. It may also be encountered with the labelling of harlequin land crab, among others. These two names do not seem to be in use when referring to any other Gecarcinus species, all of which may for example be referred to as red land crabs or moon crabs - labels shared with land crabs from other gecarcinid genera. G. quadratus is a native of the coastal rainforests of Mexico and the Panamanian land bridge, that attaches North to South America. This species has a carapace length of about 5 centimeters or 2 inches. I do not have a clue as to how variable in size this species of Gecarcinus is. Although it is clear that mature members of species in Gecarcinus, may show size variation.

Although Gecarcinus sp. larvae are dependent upon saltwater for their survival, the adult crabs have no such requirement. Although they might be found on beaches and in estuarine environments, adult G. lateralis died at salinities of 30 and 35 ppt, whereas they flourished in freshwater, and at lower salinities of 15 and 20 ppt. I do not have information about the salinity tolerance of G. quadratus, but adults belonging to both species do perfectly fine with access only to fresh water. These crabs are obligate air breathers and no not, in fact, require an aquaterrarium, provided their substrate is damp, or they have access to shallow water in a bowl or dish. This is because these crabs take up water using their abdomens. G. lateralis is also known to ingest damp sand for its moisture content.

Both G. lateralis and G. quadratus are present in environments where the substrate allows for burrowing behavior, and there is plenty leaf litter. Conspecific crabs are present in vast numbers, might share an environment, and this might be thought apt for these species the aquaterrarium, considering their herding habits in the wild. Nonetheless, each of these crabs will need space to avoid the behavioral incidents arising from overstocking. Cohabiting crabs would also need a complex environment, which they can use to avoid confrontations among their kind when necessary, not least if they are molting, because the presence of conspecifics reduces the survival of molting crabs. These crabs molt inside their own burrows for protection during this vulnerable, temporary time. Although this genus has strong herbivorous leanings, the older crabs are known to kill their juvenile conspecifics for food, especially when they are under nutrient stress

Gecarcinus are classed among the herbivorous crabs, and they do possess the abilities to digest cellulose, and consume fibrous plant materials. However their herbivory is not total, and foods of animal origins are accepted. Their diets are 80% vegetarian whereas it is only 10% of arthropod origins, and they can consume both green and brown (dead) plant matter. Although they prefer to eat fresh plant material, the wild crabs might consume more leaf litter. G. lateralis is a significant consumer of seeds, fruits, and propagules, avoiding vegetable foods with strong alkaloid defences. There is reason to believe genus Gecarcinus consume a broader spectrum of foods in the dry season, including fruits and carrion. Cannibalism in these crabs increases when access to nitrogen is decreased.

Gecarcinus sp. are burrowing crabs, and they use their burrows to shelter in less hospitable seasons, plugging their burrow and storing leaves as their food supply, when the temperature drops and the air humidity decreases. This behavior assists them avoiding water loss in the dry season. For this reason the air temperatures in the vivarium housing Gecarcinus sp. should not drop as low as 15-18 degrees centigrade, unless one wishes to stimulate such behaviors, by simulating a Caribbean dry season. The crabs seem to use decreasing air temperature as their cue for this behavior, but are triggered to resume behavioral normalcy by increased rains and the return of higher air humidity.

These crabs in the vivarium require a dump substrate and a high air humidity of over 80%, based on the humidity inside crab burrows. The diurnal air temperature range, on a similar basis, should be closer to 28 degrees than to 20 degrees centigrade. People report success when keeping this species at 26 or 27 degrees by day. I have read that this temperature must not be allowed to fluctuate, but in the wild the air temperature in their habitats does drop a little by night, and Gecarcinus are night as well as day active foragers. If the environment makes them unhappy they will retreat into the microhabitats of their burrows. Although not necessary, these air breathing land crabs are easily accommodated in a paludarium, with a large land portion simulating a tropical forest floor.

The water portion of an aquaterrarium assists in maintaining a high air humidity, but these crabs do need to safely leave the water should they walk or fall in. For this reason any water area should be of a shallow depth, and the substrate ought to slope out of the water. As with all humid vivaria, it is also important that there is sufficient ventilation. Although the air should have a high moisture content, it does not follow that it be stagnant. I have not heard reports of Gecarcinus sp. being mixed with other species of land or water animals. However, gecarcinid crabs are strongly inclined to eat live plants, and destroy planted landscapes.

Gecarcinus are primarily feeders on edible fruits and vegetables, that will also accept proprietary defrosted and dry foods intended for aquarium fishes. Although they are predominantly vegetarians, Gecarcinus diets in the aquaterrarium should also include some animal proteins, to reflect their natural consumption of arthropod material, but they will also consume soybean based foods that offer a similar boost of nutrients. The opportunistic consumption of animal matter is a well known phenomenon in terrestrial crabs with herbivorous specializations.

[toothedgoose]

Probably the first time Kilgarrah has let me get close enough for a good video :3

Because she’s so large I got some really good shots of her maxillipeds (her mouthparts)! You’ll notice she uses her small claw to bring food up and the maxillipeds reach down to grab it. It’s really interesting to see.

Wholesome music included~

[pinchersandshells]

Merle has definitely been the most active as of recent!

[cephalogodess]

Please enjoy this adorable (and big!) Caribbean hermit crab, Coenobita clypeatus!

San Miguel de Cozumel, 2019 

[thatdistantshore]

Shellby’s great. I still haven’t found him a tankmate, sadly.  Soon I’ll get the crustaceans, mollusks, and fish for the new saltwater tank. So excited!!

[natural-reflection]

A very shy Caribbean Hermit Crab, Soldier Crab, West Atlantic Crab, Tree Crab, or Purple Pincher Coenobita clypeatus

Magens Bay, St. Thomas, United States, 2014 Magens Bay

[coyote-spirit]

Hookclaw & Crowley are getting so big! Their gonna need a bigger crabitat pretty soon.

[fbwzoo]

A look at the color variety of my crabs - these are all Coenobita Clypeatus, the purple pincher hermit crab. Pictures 7 & 8 are the same crab, the rest of the pics are all different ones.

Picture 6 is a very purple boy all over, with cream highlights. He's gorgeous! Picture 4 has a palm tree shell on and I like that her legs are sunset colored.

The last pic is Hagrid, who was brick red when I got him, but had turned very brown since - I wonder if he eats more tannins in my tank?

[toothedgoose]

Mission Impossible (crab version)

Caught him in the act. Maybe I should change Nofoa’s name to Houdini, eh? I picked him up and moved the thermometer (hopefully) out of his reach.

[pinchersandshells]

Hello there!

[dantheclamman]

#brosforlife View on Instagram

[thatdistantshore]

Shellby 💚

[injamaica]

Soldier Crab - Caribbean Hermit Crab (Coenobita Clypeatus)

[fbwzoo]

Yes hello!!!

I'm at work and can't do a long infodump, but your best places for information are Crab Street Journal and their Facebook group, Land Hermit Crab Owners Society. They work extremely hard on proper care info based on research, plus education and outreach. There's a Crab Con each year that will be going it's 4th year this next July - it will be online again, tickets go on sale in January!

Oh and if you like YouTube, check out Crab Central Station! They follow the care info from the above groups and make fantastic videos.

And on breeders.... good news!!! Captive bred hermit crabs ARE officially available thanks to the very hard work of Mary Akers! They're not at all easy to raise (I tried!), and she's the first one in the western hemisphere to be successful in large enough numbers to adopt them out and initiate a push towards captive breeding populations as an ethical alternative to the abusive wild capture. Crab Central Station also has some videos about their breeding attempts to watch too!

You could also adopt someone's crabs who are rehoming due to life, loss of interest, etc. LHCOS has a program to help connect owners and help interested owners set up a good habitat before adopting. They also handle adoptions for Mary's babies. The babies are also available commercially from Josh's Frogs now!

Here's a bunch of links!!

My tag from my breeding attempt -

Mary's website -

Josh's Frogs sales page -

https://crabcentralstation.com/?v=47e5dceea252 Website, which has links to YouTube channel, fb page, etc!

Sorry for the weird mishmash of links! If any don't work I'll fix them as soon as I get home. :) feel free to ask more questions too!

hello my friend. do you happen to know anything about hermit crabs? i'm waiting at least 6 months before considering buying pet hermit crabs of my own, to ensure that it isn't just a passing fixation and that i really do want them and am prepared to properly care for them. however, i would like to learn as much as possible about them in the meantime. i am also wondering, i assume that, much like reptiles in pet stores, most chain pet stores do not properly care for the hermit crabs they may sell? are there proper hermit crab breeders? where would one aquire happy, healthy hermit crabs bred for the highest possible quality of life? i also assume much information online about these animals is not correct, as i imagine many people are misinformed about them, or don't have their proper care in mind, seeing them as beginner pets or lesser creatures. essentially, do you or any of your followers have reliable information about these wonderful animals? thank you very much for your time. i am greatly enjoying crab chewsday, as crabs are vital to the ecosystem of my mental health.

oh boy! i sure am glad i remembered i had the "ship recs" tag because Oh Boy Ive Already Used It Twenty Times Today! dont worry though im not complaining its just funny!!! the timing worked out well! buuuuuuut yeah this gave me an idea for a funny poast but i cant actually answer any of your questiosn, so. dearest, dearest followers of mine. could you help this poor anon? :pleading_face:

[chooseandact]

Elsa vs. Crustaceans

Tags @insectoid5​​, @frozenartscapes​​, @ultranos​​, @hathor-frozen​​, @kalikoke​​, @raksha-the-demon​​, @grrlgeek72​​, @mighty-meerkat​​, @myfanfictiongarden​​, et al.

As an assassin, Elsa isn’t afraid of much. Part of the job requirements. She would not and could not hurt a mouse she would not, could not in the house (Deepest apologies, Dr. Seuss.) Nor does she have a thing against house spiders, as established both in Pests Never Bothered me Anyway and “Can you pull this fake cobweb across the front door”. Her non-violence policy with mice is also mentioned in Pests, and with spiders again in “How did you manage to get coffee stain on the ceiling?”. However, the first two stories also state that she is terrified by house centipedes/ghetto bugs and Australian spiders, respectively, and assuming the Australian spiders follow the usual trope of Aussie Wildlife Trying to Kill You are presumably very large and quite poisonous if they follow the usual Australian trope of Wildlife Trying to Kill You.

But she has yet to see a coconut crab (Birgus latro)…

Behold! The monster spider I mean, crab:

(Source: @misterkristoff)

And this isn’t a zoom-in picture. A scale comparison:

(Source: @INSH)

Look like mutant, hairless tarantulas, no? And another one:

(Source: @RachLWhitehurst)

And if these aren’t scary enough by size alone, here are some fun facts🙃:

It’s the only member of the Birgus genus, but as a member of the Coenbitidae family, it’s related to the terrestrial hermit crabs in the genus Coenobita, such as C. clypeatus:

AWWW!😍 But back to it’s giant cousin…

They can be found in most of Indonesia and the Indian Ocean.

Coconuts are part of their diet, but they have been known to hunt red-footed boobies and rats. Whether this is normal is still unknown.

The strongest claw force measured out of 29 crabs was 1,765 Newtons, Figuratively, that’s worse than a whole fridge on your toe. Numerically, it’s stronger than a the force behind a lion’s canines (1,315 N), but weaker than the molars (2,024 N).

Also, there’s a correlation between claw grip and crab size, so the largest crab recorded, at 4 kg, would have a claw grip of 3,300 N. YES, MORE POWERFUL THAN A LION’S FULL BITE!

Average lifespan is ~60 years.

A group of them is called a ‘nightmare’.

Oh yeah, and one more “teensy-weensy, but-ever-so-crucial, little, tiny detail” (*cough*Hades):

T H E Y   C A N   C L I M B   T R E E S!

So: imagine Elsa’s been assigned to the Pacific tropics, or is vacationing while on injury leave, when she sees this pumpkin-sized thing with a white blob behind it moving across the beach. She walks closer/zooms in with the scope and sees what appears to be a gigantic spider moving in a very un-spider-like way, dragging a dead bird behind it into its burrow. As her brain works to register what it was she saw, the monster crab spider reemerges bird-less and immediately scuttles to the beach tree line to avoid the gulls make feint dive bombs, where it finds the closest tree and starts climbing. Elsa’s mind goes to Nopeland in 2 seconds flat and she blacks out as sensory in/output is rerouted to instinct auto-pilot, waking moments later to suddenly finding herself standing breathless in the hotel lobby with no clue how she got there. Anna is either elsewhere on/near the island or at home, and the moment she hits talk on the ringing phone, she holds the device at arm’s length to ensure her eardrums don’t burst at the sound of Elsa in FULL SHOUTING PANIC MODE!