The Land Hermit Crab

Coenobita clypeatus

The Caribbean Land Hermit Crab is an expert scavenger, using its strong claws to gather food from the forest floor. These crabs can grow up to 6 inches in size, with a tough, armored body that’s protected by a borrowed seashell. Native to coastal areas of the Caribbean, they live in forests, where they scuttle across the ground in search of fruits, other plant matter, and the remains of dead animals. Hermit crabs are known for their habit of swapping shells as they grow, a process that can take a lot of patience and careful exploration. Social creatures, they often live in groups, sharing a quiet, busy life in the leaf litter.