Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus) a.k.a. soldier crab in the Quill National Park of Statia

Описание: We present one of the many Caribbean hermit crabs (Coenobita clypeatus) you can spot along the way whilst hiking in one of the best nature and hiking destinations of the Caribbean. These crabs are also known as the soldier crab, West Atlantic crab, tree crab, or purple pincer crab. Even though they can be found all over the island Statia, they are more numerous inside the Quill Nationalpark. Check out the virtual tour of the Quill Trail to see what else to expect along the way:    • Discover Statia: Hiking the Quill Trail fr...  .

Back to the creature at hand: Adults burrow and hide under the roots of large trees. When they are out and about and people pass by, they usually retreat into their shells which – on a crater with relatively steep slopes - often results in the crab rolling downhill. So, if you hear 'rolling stones' on St. Eustatius, take a second look. Like other terrestrial crabs, they can breathe air thanks to modified gills. Their shells help to keep the humidity at the level necessary for the gas exchange to function properly.

The hermit in this clip uses the most popular shell on Statia. Cittarium pica, the West Indian top shell or magpie shell, is created by a large edible sea snail. Hermits can use their larger claw which is usually the left one to cover the opening of the shell. This way they are pretty well protected against predators.

#crab #hermitcrab #soldiercrab
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