Coenobita rugosus  

Body form typically hermit crab-like. Carapace well calcified. Antennular peduncles
elongate. Antennal peduncles and eye stalks laterally compressed. Rostrum
absent. Third maxillipeds approximated basally. Chelipeds massive, left larger
than right and propodus of left chela with a stridulating ridge comprising six
to seven teeth. Lateral surface of dactylus and propodus of left third
pereiopod smooth.

Vernacular name: Land hermit crab.

These are common on beaches and mangroves in the upper tidal zone although they have been
found many kilometres inland. They are wholly terrestrial and only need to
return to the sea to release their larvae. Land hermit crabs have been
collected extensively for the pet trade and have been completely removed from
many areas. Also, many beach improvement schemes destroy their habitats. Land
hermit crabs are close relatives of the infamous Robber or Coconut Crab (Birgus latro), the largest land
arthropod in the world, which still occurs in small isolated islands in the
Andaman Sea.