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⬅ #69 ant #70 hermit crabNH-Icon-hermitcrab #71 wharf roach ➡


Hermit crab Gallery

"I caught a hermit crab! Finally, it came out of its shell!" —New Leaf

The hermit crab, Coenobita cavipes, is a type of crab found in a few games in the Animal Crossing series. It originally appeared in the Japanese exclusive Animal Forest e+, was absent in both Wild World and City Folk, but returns in New Leaf and New Horizons.

It initially appears as a simple shell on the beach, but when approached it will raise up and skitter away. It will retreat if left alone for too long, and it is generally more common during rain, particularly in Animal Forest e+. The hermit crab is able to jump into water if it travels too close. In New Leaf, the hermit crab's shell has a purple hue and a different hole shape compared to a normal shell.

In New Leaf, the hermit crab is notable for being a sea creature despite being classified as a "bug", though it cannot be found in the sea by diving. Because it is the only bug exclusive to Tortimer Island in this game, it is available all-year round in the island's full-year summer climate.

It is more abundant from the month of June until September in Animal Forest e+.

Donation to the museum[]

In Animal Forest e+[]

Crab Coconut Crab Hermit Crab Birdwing Butterfly

Hermit Crab in museum in Animal Forest e+

When donated to the museum it appears on the left side on the sand with the other crabs and the Birdwing.

In New Leaf[]

In New Leaf, an information board in the bug exhibit will list information about this bug.

"Hermit crabs live in empty shells they can fit their bodies into. As they grow, they find bigger shells. They're quite picky about each new shell and first measure the opening with their claws. The shells they choose usually fit well, and they'll sometimes fight one another over ownership rights."

In New Horizons[]

In New Horizons, upon donation or selecting "Tell me more about this!", Blathers the curator will say (with abhorrence):

"The hermit crab is not an insect... Though it most certainly resembles one. Blech! It looks much like a spider- what with its creepy eyes and crawly legs- but is, in fact, a crustacean. As such, the hermit crab has 10 legs and also wears a shell. But it doesn't grow this shell itself. It slips its soft body into shells left behind by snails, you see, and moves into ever-larger ones as it grows. (Talk about a strange way to make a home.)"

Capture quotes[]

"I caught a hermit crab! I think it wanted to be left alone!" —New Horizons
Japanese Quotes

「ヤドカリを つかまえた! ひきこもってちゃ ダメ!」 —Animal Forest e+ and New Leaf

"I caught a hermit crab! Don't be a shut-in!" (translation)

Encyclopedia information[]

New Leaf[]

Bug
Encyclopedia Information
Hermit crab
"I caught a hermit crab! Finally, it came out of its shell!"
Size 43 mm
Time Night-Morning
Season Summer


New Horizons[]

Bug
Encyclopedia Information
NH-encyclopedia-Hermit crab
"I caught a hermit crab! I think it wanted to be left alone!"
Current Active Hours 7PM - 8AM
Months active (north) All year
Months active (south) All year

Further information[]

HermitCrabIRL

A hermit crab in real life

Main article: Hermit crab on Wikipedia

In Japan, hermit crabs are known as yadokari (ヤドカリ?). They are a territorial species of crustacean that is popular as a pet in some places. They are often found on beaches in large groups in tropical reasons; the waves wash up groups of them at a time. As they grow, they discard their too-small shell and seek out a new one.

In other languages[]

Hermit crab
Language Name Translation
Japan Japanese ヤドカリ Yadokari -
France French Bernard-l'ermite -
Spain Spanish Cangrejo ermitaño -
Germany German Einsiedlerkrebs -
Italy Italian Granchio paguro -
The Netherlands Dutch Heremietkreeft -
Russia Russian Рак-отшельник Rak-otshel'nik -
China Chinese 寄居蟹 Jìjūxiè -
South Korea Korean 소라게 Sorage -



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