The Hairy Red Hermit Crab (Dardanus lagopodes) is a large hermit crab species that belongs to the Diogenid Hermit Crab family Diogenidae. Diogenid hermit crabs are distinguished by a left claw that is equal to or larger in size than the right. The Diogenid family includes mostly all the large and colourful hermit crabs. This crab is commonly found in the waters of the western Pacific Ocean and along the east coast of Australia including the coastal waters of Queensland and New South Wales. They can often be found in amongst seagrass meadows and they are generally more active at night when they can be seen searching for food.
This species is common in the shallow waters of coastal estuaries and bays but has also been caught in deepwater lobster trabs at depths of 50 + metres. The Hairy Red Hermit Crab (Dardanus lagopodes) is one of the largest hermit crab species and grows to a maximum size of approximately 20cm.
