Red-legged hermit crab (Clibanarius erythropus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Clibanarius erythropus
- Common name
- Red-legged hermit crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Diogenidae
- Genus
- Clibanarius
- Size
- 1–3 cm
- Depth
- 0–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, sand
- Behaviours
- scavenger
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Clibanarius erythropus is a small hermit crab of 1 to 3 cm with red legs and a soft body tucked into an empty gastropod shell (often Phorcus or Stramonita). It swaps shells as it grows, sometimes through an exchange with another hermit. Common in tide pools and on shallow rocky bottoms. Gregarious and opportunistic.
Photo of Red-legged hermit crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red-legged hermit crab?
- Red-legged hermit crab (Clibanarius erythropus) reaches 1–3 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red-legged hermit crab?
- Red-legged hermit crab is found between 0–20 m deep.
- Is the Red-legged hermit crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red-legged hermit crab?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red-legged hermit crab?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Diogenidae
- Dardanus pedunculatus - Anemone hermit crab
- Dardanus megistos - Giant Red Hermit Crab
- Aniculus aniculus - Multicolor Dwarf Hermit
- Petrochirus diogenes - Atlantic Giant Hermit
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 107196)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4311752)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia