Coenobita rugosus is a species of land hermit crab native to Indonesia, Australia and the east African coast to the south west Pacific.

When threatened C. rugosus is able to make a 'chirping' sound by rubbing its large pincer against its shell as a stridulatory apparatus.

They can be differentiated from other species of land hermit crabs by the pronounced striations (stitch marks) on their large pincer.

Coenobita compressus and Coenobita perlatus also possess these striations to a lesser extent but can easily be distinguished from C. rugosus by size and colour; especially in the case of the C. perlatus which is a striking red colour as an adult.

As with other species of land hermit crabs C. rugosus are scavengers and will consume plants, dead fish, fruit and other detritus.