Colour Variations in the C. variabilis (Australian Land Hermit Crab)

Coenobita variabilis, commonly known as the Australian land hermit crab, earns the name variabilis from its highly variable colouring. This unique species displays an impressive range of colours, making each individual truly distinctive.

Colouration develops through a combination of genetics—passed down through generations of wild hermit crabs—and diet. Certain nutrients play a significant role in pigment development, with compounds such as anthocyanins and tannins contributing to deeper, richer exoskeleton colours.

The most commonly observed colours include sandy beige, light brown, chocolate brown, grey, orange, and red. Some C. variabilis may also display subtle hints of purple or blue within a grey exoskeleton, though these colourations are far less common.

Despite their wide colour variation, all C. variabilis share one defining characteristic: identical vertical striping along their legs and claws. These classic markings are a hallmark of Australian land hermit crabs and range in shade from light brown to very dark brown.

Exoskeleton colour can change dramatically between moults, sometimes shifting from light to dark and back again. Tank conditions, diet, and overall health all influence how vibrant and healthy a hermit crab’s colouring appears.

Colour-Enhancing Foods

Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins support darker and richer pigmentation.

Sources include:

• Berries

• Red, orange, and purple fruits and vegetables

• Purple sweet potato

• Purple and black carrot

• Purple and red cabbage

• Blood oranges

• Pomegranate

• Red and purple grapes

• Cherries

• Eggplant

• Red plums

• Red beans

• Beetroot

• Purple corn

• Seaweed and algae

• Red rice and black rice

Tannins

Tannins also contribute to pigment depth and are commonly found in natural foraging materials.

Sources include:

• Leaf litter (leaves, wood, and bark)

• Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and cashews

• Grains and legumes including chickpeas, beans, and buckwheat

Photos below feature various C. variabilis (Australian Land Hermit Crabs) with varying exoskeleton colouring and pigmentation.

*Hermit crabs photographed below belong to The Happy Hermie

Sandy Beige

Sandy exoskeleton colouring

Beige exoskeleton colouring

beige exoskeleton colouring

Sandy exoskeleton colouring

Shades of Brown

Chocolate brown exoskeleton colouring

Chocolate brown exoskeleton colouring

Light brown exoskeleton colouring

Light brown exoskeleton colouring

Brown exoskeleton colouring

Light brown exoskeleton colouring

Chocolate brown exoskeleton colouring

Orange

Orange exoskeleton colouring

Orange exoskeleton colouring

Orange exoskeleton colouring

Orange exoskeleton colouring

Grey

Grey exoskeleton colouring

Grey exoskeleton colouring

Grey exoskeleton colouring

Grey exoskeleton colouring with purple pigment

Grey exoskeleton colouring with purple pigment

Grey exoskeleton colouring

Grey exoskeleton colouring

Grey exoskeleton colouring with purple pigment

Red

Red exoskeleton colouring

Red exoskeleton colouring

Red exoskeleton colouring

Red exoskeleton colouring