Coenobita compressus

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Crustaceans (Subphylum Crustacea)

• Typical Crustaceans (Superclass Multicrustacea)

• Malacostracans (Class Malacostraca)

• Decapods, Isopods, and Allies (Subclass Eumalacostraca)

• Decapods and Krill (Superorder Eucarida)

• Decapods (Order Decapoda)

• Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimps, and Allies (Suborder Pleocyemata)

The Ecuadorian hermit crab is indigenous to the Pacific side of Central and South America (from Lower California to Chile). Coenobita compressus live on the Pacific seashore, rarely more than 330 yds (300 meters) inland. They are frequently found both in sandy areas (like beaches and dunes), and tropical (in the grass and rainforest areas) under the rocks above high tide. Like most hermit crabs species, Coenobita compressus does not have complete exoskeletons and uses gastropod shells to protect its soft abdomen.