# Tawny Hermit Crab

*Coenobita rugosus*

This species can produce a distinct chirping sound by rubbing its large claw against its shell, a defense mechanism to startle predators.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Malacostraca › Decapoda › Coenobitidae › Coenobita
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** wetland
- **Habitat:** Sandy beaches, coastal dunes, mangroves, and coastal forests near the high-tide line.
- **Diet:** Omnivorous scavenger feeding on decaying vegetation, detritus, fallen fruit, and carrion.
- **Range:** East Africa, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, Pacific Islands
- **Size:** Carapace length up to 30 mm, overall size determined by occupied shell.
- **Lifespan:** 10-30 years
- **Active:** nocturnal
- **Threats:** Coastal development, plastic pollution (trapping crabs in containers), and collection for the pet trade.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and defensive. If encountered, observe quietly. Avoid handling to prevent stress. If picked up, they may pinch with their left claw; if pinched, place the crab on a flat surface and wait for it to release. Wash any minor pinches with soap and water.

## About

Coenobita rugosus is a species of land hermit crab native to Indonesia, Australia and the east African coast to the south west Pacific.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/da7acb8d-baa7-425b-9a61-7a67ae29b25f
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/123362
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenobita rugosus
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/78214/medium.jpg (Thomas Quine, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.