The Hermit Crab (Coenobita clypeatus), also known as the Caribbean hermit crab or the tree crab, is a fascinating crustacean known for its unique adaptation of using discarded shells for protection. Unlike true crabs, hermit crabs have soft, vulnerable abdomens, which makes them reliant on shells from gastropods, such as snails, to shield themselves from predators and environmental hazards. As they grow, hermit crabs must periodically search for larger shells to accommodate their increasing size. This behavior can lead to competition among crabs for the most desirable shells, often involving elaborate displays of shell swapping where crabs line up to exchange homes. Their resourcefulness and ability to find and adapt to different shell types are key to their survival.

In addition to their remarkable use of shells, Hermit Crabs have an intriguing sense of social behavior. They are known to form small, temporary groups, particularly when scavenging for food or when multiple crabs are seeking new shells. They are omnivorous scavengers, feeding on a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including fruits, decaying wood, and even dead fish or other invertebrates. Hermit Crabs are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to forage for food and water. Despite their name, they are quite active and social in captivity when given appropriate environmental enrichment, such as climbing structures and shells of various sizes. Their ability to live both on land and in water, along with their fascinating shell-swapping behavior, makes them an especially unique and engaging species.