Hermit-crab
Guides
Clibanarius
Clibanarius is a genus of hermit crabs in the family Diogenidae, comprising approximately 60 valid species as of 2025. Members possess soft, asymmetrical abdomens protected within scavenged gastropod shells. While predominantly marine, the genus includes C. fonticola, the only known hermit crab species to complete its entire life cycle in freshwater. The genus exhibits broad geographic distributions, with feeding rates documented to vary with temperature.
Clibanarius vittatus
Thinstripe Hermit Crab, Striped-legged Hermit Crab
Clibanarius vittatus is a marine hermit crab in the family Diogenidae, commonly known as the thinstripe or striped-legged hermit crab. It inhabits shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. The species exhibits distinctive longitudinal stripes on its walking legs and occupies empty gastropod shells for protection. Research has documented complex behaviors including sex-specific shell switching patterns during reproduction, risk-sensitive responses to predation threats, and size-dependent aggressive interactions.
Coenobita
land hermit crabs, terrestrial hermit crabs
Coenobita is a genus of terrestrial hermit crabs comprising 21 species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical coastal regions. Unlike marine hermit crabs, these species have adapted to life on land while maintaining a critical dependence on the sea for reproduction and shell acquisition. They inhabit empty gastropod shells to protect their soft, asymmetrical abdomens and carry water within their shells to prevent desiccation. The genus is closely related to the coconut crab (Birgus latro), with both genera forming the family Coenobitidae. Several species are popular in the pet trade.
Coenobitidae
Land Hermit Crabs, Terrestrial Hermit Crabs
Coenobitidae is the family of terrestrial hermit crabs, comprising approximately 17-18 species in two genera. Adults are fully terrestrial but depend on marine environments for reproduction. Females return to the ocean to release eggs; larvae develop through planktonic zoeal stages before settling. Juveniles acquire empty gastropod shells and migrate to land, where they continue development. The family is distributed throughout coastal tropical regions worldwide.
Pagurus
Pagurus is a genus of marine hermit crabs comprising approximately 170 described species. Members possess an uncalcified, asymmetrical abdomen that they protect by inhabiting empty gastropod shells. These decapod crustaceans occupy diverse marine habitats from intertidal zones to deep continental slopes. The genus exhibits broad geographic distribution across temperate and tropical waters worldwide.
Pagurus annulipes
Brown Banded Hermit
Pagurus annulipes is a hermit crab species in the family Paguridae, commonly known as the brown banded hermit. It inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean and is notable as the only hermit crab with distinctly banded legs on the northeastern United States coast. This species occupies empty gastropod shells for protection, typical of hermit crab behavior.
Pagurus grainosinanus
Pagurus grainosinanus is a species of hermit crab in the family Paguridae. The species is documented within the genus Pagurus, a large and widespread group of marine hermit crabs characterized by asymmetrical abdomens adapted to occupy empty gastropod shells. Specific ecological and morphological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pagurus hirsutiusculus
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab, Hairy Hermit Crab
Pagurus hirsutiusculus is a small marine hermit crab found along the North Pacific coast from Alaska to California and Japan. Adults reach up to 70 mm body length in northern populations, with southern populations being smaller and less hairy. The species is distinguished by dense body hair, white and blue bands on walking legs, and grayish-brown antennae with white bands. It inhabits the intertidal zone to depths of 110 m, commonly occupying empty gastropod shells for protection.
Pagurus samuelis
blueband hermit crab
A small intertidal hermit crab native to the eastern Pacific coast, distinguished by bright blue bands on the legs of adults. It is the most common hermit crab in California. The species exhibits strong shell fidelity, preferentially occupying shells of the black turban snail (Tegula funebralis). Behavioral studies demonstrate that shell acquisition takes priority over feeding when both resources are scarce, and that social isolation heightens aggressive behavior and dominance in shell competition.
Petrochirus diogenes
Giant Hermit Crab
Petrochirus diogenes is a large marine hermit crab native to the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. It is notable for its ability to occupy fully grown shells of the queen conch (Lobatus gigas), which it acquires by preying upon living conchs. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Cancer diogenes, the species epithet references the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who famously lived in a large ceramic jar.