Giant Hermit Crab

More Ocean Resources Beach Pictures Crab Pictures Ocean Animals

Hermit crabs, the decopods that borrow empty gastropod shells for use as homes, can be found in both deep ocean and near shore environments. Of the approximately five hundred documented species, about fifteen are categorized as terrestrial.

The Giant Hermit Crab (Petrochirus diogenes) of the Southeast, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, grows to a length of up to eight inches.

It is the largest hermit crab found off coastal waters of the Continental United States, and the picture shows the characteristic purple lines on the legs.

Growing up to a foot in length, the White-spotted hermit crab, a Hawaii native species, holds the title of largest hermit crab in the United States.

Large hermit crabs require large shells for survival. The specimen in the top picture washed ashore inside of, what looks to be, a Florida Fighting Conch. They also use other local large shells such as tun-shells and whelks.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels