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A hermit crab emerges from its shell, Coenobita perlatus Outside its shell, the soft, curved abdomen of hermit crabs, such as Pagurus bernhardus, is vulnerable. Hermit crab species range in size and shape, from species only a few millimeters long to Coenobita brevimanus (Indos Crab), which can approach the size of a coconut and live 12–70 years.
When choosing a new shell, this hermit crab prefers a globose shell, especially Turbo and Nerita. In Hawaii, the shells of Trochus intextus and Turbo sandwicensis are often used, while in South Africa, an empty Lunella coronata shell is favoured. [2] This is an aggressive hermit crab species which is prepared to fight for empty shells or other ...
In New Zealand there are more than 60 known species of hermit crab, [5] predominantly found along the coastline in tidal rock pools and estuaries. [10] Pagurus novizealandiae is mainly found in the intertidal zones right throughout both the North and South Island, however this species is mostly found in the South Island, or on the Auckland Islands 465 km south-east of New Zealand.
The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a terrestrial species of giant hermit crab, and is also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest terrestrial arthropod known, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9 lb). The distance from the tip of one leg to the tip of another can be as wide as 1 m (3 ft 3 in).
The Acadian hermit crab, also known as Pagurus acadianus, can be found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, including areas such as the Vineyard Sound. [5] In addition, the Acadian hermit crab has been cited as the most abundant species of crab in Salisbury Cove, Maine by William C. Grant, Jr, during his extensive study of hermit crabs populating this area in 1961.
C. tricolor is a popular aquarium hermit crab because of its coloration and because its feeding habits lead it to clean tanks. It is emblematic of the public's shift from purely decorative animals to "working" animals that help sustain the aquarium's ecosystem, reducing the need for active management by the owner.
[3] [7] Hermit crab shells are crucial for protection and minimizing predation, and therefore proper shell selection is vital. P. longicarpus will avoid selecting shells with extensive damage because they are more vulnerable to predation. The most common type of damage to hermit crab shells is the presence of small holes.
Pagurus is a genus of hermit crabs in the family Paguridae.Like other hermit crabs, their abdomen is not calcified and they use snail shells as protection. These marine decapod crustaceans are omnivorous, but mostly prey on small animals and scavenge carrion.