Shell-dependent
Guides
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.