Hermit Crab Types of Pets with Photos!
Hermit crab types of pets most commonly found within the U.S. and worldwide include the Purple Pincher, Eccie, Ruggie and Strawberry.
Overall, there are roughly 1000 different species of hermit crabs, and most all of them are too difficult to care for in captivity and/or should not be kept as pets.
If you have land hermit crab pets, or plan to get some, it’s important to know which type! Each type of land hermit crab has different needs.
Knowing hermit crab types, original habitat and specific needs of your pets will help you provide the best foods, climate and crabitat elements needed to meet their needs and let them live long happy, healthy lives.
Most common Hermit Crab Types
Most common land hermit crabs found within the pet industry (worldwide):
- Purple Pincher
- Ecuadorian
- Strawberry
- Ruggie
- Australian
Most species of land hermit crabs are not suitable as pets, as their needs are too difficult to provide in captivity.
Purple Pinchers, Most Common in U.S.
Most obvious identifiers:
- large purple pincer claw
- round eyes
Purple Pinchers, also known as “Caribbean Hermit Crab” and “Tree Crab” are the most common hermit crabs in the U.S. found both in the wild, and within the pet industry.
These land hermit crabs are the most resilient and easiest to care for (but should never be removed from the wild!). These social, quirky little creatures make good pets. When raised in a healthy crabitat, these hermies can live longer than dogs! More on Purple Pincher Hermit Crab Care here!
Ecuadorians (aka "Eccies")
Most obvious identifiers:
- elongated eyes
- “sideburn” dark stripe on side of head
- very small even in adulthood
Ecuadorian Hermit Crabs are tiny little hermit crabs with oval shaped eyes, and their coloring ranges from very light to darker greens, blues and greys. They are found in the Pacific along the coastline. Their lifecycle requires seawater (as opposed to Purple Pinchers that can survive with freshwater only).
They can also be found within the U.S. pet industry for sale, but much less commonly than the Purple Pinchers. Their needs are much more difficult to provide in captivity and should only be raised by experienced hermit crab pet owners.
Strawberry Hermit Crabs
Most obvious identifiers:
- bright red coloring in adults
- elongated eyes
Strawberry hermit crabs are easily identifiable by their color. But their color depends on their age and diet, so it’s possible to find strawberry hermit crabs that are wrongly identified as a different species.
This type of land hermit crab IS NOT RECOMMENDED as a pet. Their lifespan in captivity is short, as it’s very difficult to replicate their needs and natural behaviors in captivity.
Ruggies (rugosus) hermit crabs
Most obvious identifiers:
- eyes are elongated with
- elongated eyes
- orange feelers
Ruggie hermit crabs share very similar identifiers with Eccies, with coloring being the biggest obvious difference. Ruggies are generally the same consistent color on their entire body whereas Eccies can have different shades of color.
Inexperienced hermit crab pet owners should not raise Ruggies as their needs are very difficult to provide in captiity. They are best left to live along the shorelines of their native Australia, South Pacific Islands and East African coasts.
More Hermit Crabs found around the world...
