Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are part of the crustation family. They are significantly different from regular crabs despite the name and have a soft abdomen and to protect themselves from predators they have adapted to carrying an empty seashell that they can retract into. As the hermit crabs grows bigger, it has to find a bigger shell to protect itself. Their preference is that of a sea snail.

There an estimated 500 species of hermit crab, most of which are marine hermit crabs that live in coral reefs and rocks. They usually live in colonies of 100 or more and generally do not live for more than 1 year. Some species are herbivorous eating algae and other debris whereas other species are omnivorous.

Some large species of hermit crab have anemones growing on their shells that help to scare away other fish and predators. The sea anemone benefits from the left over bits of food that the crab has eaten and may transfer to a bigger shell with the hermit crab when he is too big for his current shell.