Purple land crab

Common Name: Purple Land Crab
Scientific Name: Gecarcoidea lalandii

Adult Size: Carapace width recorded 4.2–7.8 cm (adult females in Taiwan population)
Native Range: Indo-Pacific 

Enclosure: Terrestrial vivarium/paludarium with a large land area
Heating: Tropical terrestrial species; avoid chilling

Humidity: 60% - 80%

Diet: Mixed plant matter plus invertebrate/animal proteins in rotation

Water: Freshwater dish for drinking/dipping; keep clean and easy to access

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Gecarcoidea lalandii is a true land crab with a dark purple to reddish-purple look and a strongly nocturnal routine, often spending daylight hours tucked into burrows or tight cover. In the wild, adults are associated with forested habitats and can occur well inland, away from the sea.

When in breeding condition, females migrate down to the coast to release eggs in the tidal zone, which is a useful clue about why these crabs behave like “land animals” but still benefit from reliable access to water and consistently damp, diggable substrate.

In captivity they tend to reward busy, naturalistic layouts: deep leaf litter, multiple hides, and textured hardscape for climbing, with open areas kept minimal so they feel secure enough to forage.