North American hermit crab (SciiFii)

The North American hermit crab (Coenobita lacus) is a species of land hermit crab that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, and coastal areas across North America to help boost biodiversity. The North American hermit crab adults burrow and hide under the roots of large trees and other woody plants. Unlike many other terrestrial crabs, they have a dual respiratory system, consisting of both gills and simple lungs (similar to those of other terrestrial crustaceans such as woodlice), so the North American hermit crabs can spend throughout their lives on land, not just in the water. Their shells help maintain the humidity necessary for gas exchange to function. North American hermit crabs are both herbivorous and scavengers. In the wild, North American hermit crabs feeds on animal and plant remains, overripe fruit, and faeces of other animals, including those of many species of iguanas. The shells of West Indian top snail (Cittarium pica) and giant pond snails (Lymnaea gigas) is often used for its home, and the hermit crab can use its larger claw to cover the aperture of the shell for protection against predators. As with other species of hermit crabs, North American hermit crabs may engage in "shell fights" and can emit a chirping noise when stressed. Typically, the North American hermit crab's left claw is larger in size than its right claw and is purple in color. Female North American land hermit crabs release fertilized eggs into not just the oceans, but also ponds or rivers, due to being far less specialized for a specific aquatic environment. The spawning (called "washing" in English) occurs on certain nights, usually around April. This species is one of the three land hermit crabs commonly sold in the United States as pets, the other being the Ecuadorian hermit crab and the Caribbean hermit crab. The North American hermit crab is known to live as long as 40 years on average. The conservation status of the North American hermit crab is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American hermit crab's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.