HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I was just checking out another thread and a nice member inserted a link: http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_eng.htm that outlines all the hermit crab species--the common and uncommon ones!

So, there are 17 species of hermit crabs? This is craziness...

C. cavipes Cavs
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_cavipes_eng2.htm

C. brevimanus Indos
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_br ... s_eng2.htm

C. perlatus Strawberry
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_perlatus_eng2.htm

C. rugosus Ruggy
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_rugosus_eng2.htm

C. purpureus Purple Land Hermit...found only in Japan. "WILL BE ENDANGERED"
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_purpureus_eng2.htm

C. violascens Viola
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_vi ... s_eng2.htm

C. clypeatus PP
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_clypeatus_eng2.htm

C. variabilis Crazy Crab
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_va ... s_eng2.htm

C. compressus E
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_co ... s_eng2.htm

C. spinosus Spiner/Spinnies
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_spinosus_eng2.htm

C. scaevola (much is unknown)
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_scaevola_eng2.htm

C. olivieri (much is unknown)
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_others_eng2.htm

C. carnescens (much is unknown)
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_others_eng2.htm

C. pseudorugosus Similar to Ruggy, slight differences
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_ps ... s_eng2.htm

C. rubescens (much is unknown)
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_others_eng2.htm

C. longitarsis (much is unknown)
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_others_eng2.htm

Birgus latro Coconut Crab ENDANGERED
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_birgus_eng2.htm



What an incredible site!!! Check it out on your own! I've learned quite a lot from surfing it!!
http://www.tonycoenobita.com/species_eng.htm

C. olivieri, carnascens, rubescens, and longitarsis are all undocumented and exist only in name. I'm inclined to think none of them really exist at all. And C. pseudorugosus is probably just juvenile C. perlatus - see the thread about it below. So I'd say there are definitely twelve species, but beyond that, who knows.

saw that thread thanks!

Ooh, I am now in love with C. purpureus! Is that a gorgeous crab or what?!

VERY pretty!

wow thats just what i was looking for on my exotic who. post great find! well does any1 have a "spiner"? or any of the new spices if so plz post or pm me

libbysmom wrote:Ooh, I am now in love with C. purpureus! Is that a gorgeous crab or what?!

Me too!!! I believe that one of our European members was fortunate enough to find one! It is my goal to have a few of those beauties at some point! I wish they would export them to the USA. :roll:

I too would love to Have a Couple C.Purpureus. But! Sadly they are an Endangered Species, and Japan has named them the Jewel of...And like The Aus. C.variabilis, are not and will not be exported.

Not to turn this thread into a Political or Discussion on right or wrong, BUT!
I believe and feel that these 2 Governments are doing the right thing by dis-allowing the exploitation of these Wonderful Creatures and want to "Preserve" them and Hope the numbers will Bloom. I am not too sure of the C.variabilis and Australian Gov't, I can see their reasons for their strict Importation Laws.

Thanks

Hi OIF_VET
I'm a little out of the loop at the moment, but from what I can remember, in Australia there are extremely strict laws with the harvesting of variabilis and even more so with perlatus.
With variabilis, the harvester(I'm having a mental block right now, can't remember his name) has to keep very strict records of the number of crabs he harvests and he also has to make observations on the general number of the population.
With perlatus here in Australia, the laws are extremely strict and from what I know, perlatus can be only harvested in non-protected areas/islands & only at certain times of the year and I would think there'd also be records of population for sure
But, I really think more should be done to protect hermit crabs. Any potential buyer should have to do their homework and have a proper set-up before being allowed to purchase a hermit crabs from a store.
With reptiles, a person has to have a licence to keep them, why can't it be the same for hermit crabs?

Is that just in australia that you need a license to keep reptiles?

In the US, the only things you need a license for are dangerous or exotic animals, like tigers or bears or something. Dogs and cats may be required, but it's easy to just pick up free kittens and never do it. Any other pets you find in a pet store, no regulations whatsoever.

Also, I have to triple or quadruple the motion that I WANT A PURPUREUS waaaaah!

i want 2 C. spinosus and 2C. purpureus and 2 C. scaevola there so cool!!!! i any1 has any of these plz pm me or post i'll buy him/her!!!!

If only... Isthe coconut crab actually a hermit. It doesn't look like one...

Also wouldn't it be great to have a blueberry! I would LOVE that! There so cool.Again captive breeding solves EVERYTHING.

coconut crabs live in shells as youths (where "youth" for a coconut crab can be as large as a jumbo PP). Their adbomen are shorter and wider than normal crabs (kind of like spinosus). As they grow up, their abdomen hardens to form a protective cover, so that they can live without shells. They usually curl their short, wide abdomen tightly under, so you don't see a tail hanging behind them.

JediMasterThrash wrote:Is that just in australia that you need a license to keep reptiles?

In the US, the only things you need a license for are dangerous or exotic animals, like tigers or bears or something. Dogs and cats may be required, but it's easy to just pick up free kittens and never do it. Any other pets you find in a pet store, no regulations whatsoever.

Yes We can't buy snakes, Lizards and Turtles(will have to double check on turtles to be sure) without a proper reptile licence.
Interesting link http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications?id=1389