Coenobita rugosus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coenobita rugosus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Anomura
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Coenobita
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| Species: |
C. rugosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Coenobita rugosus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837
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The Coenobita rugosus is a type of hermit crab that lives on land. You can find these interesting creatures in places like Indonesia, Australia, and along the east African coast, stretching into the southwest Pacific Ocean.
These hermit crabs are known for their unique features. They have four legs for walking, two pincers (one small and one large), and antennae to help them explore. When they feel scared, they can even make a 'chirping' sound! They do this by rubbing their large pincer against their shell. It's like their own special warning signal.
What Do They Look Like?
Coenobita rugosus crabs come in many different colors. Their color can change based on what they eat. You might see them in green, brown, or tan. Sometimes, they can even be black, white, pink, or blue!
One special way to tell them apart from other land hermit crabs is by looking at their large pincer. It has clear "stitch marks" or ridges on it. Other crabs like Coenobita compressus and Coenobita perlatus also have these marks, but they are not as strong. You can also tell them apart by their size and color. For example, adult C. perlatus crabs are a bright red.
Size and Other Features
These crabs can grow up to about 15 millimeters (which is about half an inch) long. Their eyestalks are usually sandy in color. Sometimes, they have a brown stripe on the bottom. The lower pair of their second antennae are light orange.
Their big claw has seven ridges on the top part. You can usually see some hair on the inside of both of their claws. On their last pair of walking legs, the second part is flat and lighter in color. Their abdomen, which they hide in a shell, is short and a bit plump.
What Do They Eat?
Just like other land hermit crabs, Coenobita rugosus are scavengers. This means they eat many different things they find. They will munch on plants, dead fish, fruit, and other bits of detritus (decaying matter). They help keep their environment clean by eating these things.
