Distinguishing Characteristics |
Lives in gastropod shells; abdomen soft, twisted, hidden inside shell, carapace and claw color red; claws unequal (right claw is larger), heavily knobbed, knobs whitish or lighter color than rest of claw; tubercles (knobs) on crushing surface of major claw; minor claw slightly spooned; back behind eyes is flat, tri-lobed in fromt; red hairs on body, especially long on last 2 segments of walking legs; antennae are white and red striped; tufts of hair above the corneas of the eyestalks. |
Similar Species |
The giant hermit crab can be distinguished by its size (largest hermit crab in Texas) and its heavily tubercled, red claws. |
Habitat |
Gulf and high salinity bays, mud, shell and sand bottoms |
Maximum Size |
unknown, very large, estimated around 48 cm (19 in) including claws |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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