Shell-utilization
Guides
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.