Caribbean hermit crab right claw and is purple in color. Female land hermit crabs release fertilized eggs into the ocean. The spawning (called "washing" in the English-speaking Caribbean) occurs on certain nights, usually around August. This species is one of the two land hermit crabs commonly sold in the United States as a pet, the other being the Ecuadorian hermit crab. "C. clypeatus" has been confirmed to live as long as 12 years, and some crab owners have claimed to have crabs live up to 40 years. Caribbean hermit crab The Caribbean hermit crab, Coenobita clypeatus, also known as the soldier crab, the
Rufous-breasted hermit attached to the underside of a palm, fern or "Heliconia" leaf one or two meters (3–6 ft) above ground or so. The nests are often near a stream, waterfall or roadside, and are surprisingly easy to find. Incubation is 17 days with 23 more to fledging, and this species may nest up to four times in a season. The male of this aggressive and inquisitive hummingbird helps to build and defend the nest, but does not incubate the eggs. At least regionally (e.g. in Colombia), the species breeds all year. Rufous-breasted hermit The rufous-breasted hermit or hairy hermit ("Glaucis hirsutus")