Species information
Scientific name: Coenobita cavipes
Japanese name: オカヤドカリ
Chinese name: 凹足陸寄居蟹
English name: Cavipes hermit crab
Origin: Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc.
Ecology and description
Cavipes hermit crab is the most common land hermit crab in the mountains and inland areas of Okinawa. Since this species has the highest degree of terrestrial adaptation, the land hermit crabs seen far from coastal areas are almost all of this species. The color of Cavipes hermit crab is mostly brown or gray-brown. Its features include eye stalks that are flat rectangular prisms, orange second antennae, and raised textures on its body. The movable and immovable finger edges of its pincers are white. All land hermit crabs in Japan have been designated as natural monuments and collecting them is prohibited.
Reference: Research Laboratory of Land Hermit Crabs
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
During our 【Herping】 and 【Night Birding】 tours in the summer season, we have opportunities to see this species.
