St. John, US Virgin Islands - June 2002 / P6190060a

Soldier Crab or hermit crab. This crab takes up residence in abandon shells, particularly those of the West Indian top shell whelk. Found all over the island, these crabs come down to the beach in annual August migrations to breed and lay eggs at the water's edge. These crabs are easy to spot along the trail because you commonly hear them rustling in the leaves or rolling down a hill.