Caribbean hermit crab
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The Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus), also known as the soldier crab,<ref name="Nieves"/> West Atlantic crab, tree crab, or purple pincher (due to the distinctive purple claw), is a species of land hermit crab native to the west Atlantic, Belize, southern Florida,<ref name=CoD>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Venezuela, and the West Indies.<ref name=CoL>Template:Cite book</ref>
DescriptionEdit
Adults burrow and hide under the roots of large trees, and can be found a considerable distance inland.<ref name=CoD/> As with other terrestrial decapods, they use modified gills to breathe air. Their shells help maintain the humidity necessary for gas exchange to function.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Typically, the Caribbean hermit crab's left claw is larger in size than its right claw and is purple in color. Female land hermit crabs release fertilized eggs into the ocean. The spawning (called "washing" in the English-speaking Caribbean) occurs on certain nights, usually around August.<ref name="Nieves">Template:Cite journal</ref>
EcologyEdit
Caribbean hermit crabs are both herbivorous and scavengers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In the wild, C. clypeatus feeds on animal and plant remains, overripe fruit, and faeces of other animals,<ref name=CoD/> including the Mona ground iguana (Cyclura stejnegeri).<ref name="Nieves"/> The West Indian top snail (Cittarium pica) shell is often used for its home, and the hermit crab can use its larger claw to cover the aperture of the shell for protection against predators.<ref name=CoD/> As with other species of hermit crabs, C. clypeatus may engage in "shell fights" and can emit a chirping noise when stressed.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Pet TradeEdit
This species is one of the two land hermit crabs commonly sold in the United States as pets, the other being the Ecuadorian hermit crab.<ref name=CoL/><ref name=CoB>Template:Cite book</ref> C. clypeatus has been confirmed to live as long as 12 years,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and some crab owners have claimed to have crabs live up to 40 years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>