Hermit Crab

Coenobita clypeatus

Description:

The hermit crab, like other members of the crab family, is a decapod, meaning ten footed. Two of its "feet", however, are actually claws, one of which is usually about three times larger than the other. The claws are used for battle, for defense, and to procure food. The hermit crab's eyes are located at the ends of two short eyestalks. The hermit crab can stick most of its body out of its shell to walk around or it can withdraw totally inside using its large claw as a door, which closes off the opening. The only time a hermit crab leaves its protective shell is when it outgrows it. The crab then seeks a new and larger one. Because it is very vulnerable outside its shell, the hermit crab makes sure that its new home is absolutely suitable before relocating. It closely examines and inspects its new prospective residence with its legs and feelers before making the dangerous exit from one shell and entrance to the next and the exchange is done very quickly once the decision is made. When shell pickings are scarce, hermit crabs can use any convenient item as a home. John Gibney reports that in his youth he saw hundreds of hermit crabs walking around in old baby food jars that his father had been saving. Competition for new shells is keen and hermit crabs will often steal shells from one another. They will engage in fierce battles, fought to the death, for the possession of an appropriate shell. The loser of the engagement not only loses its life but will be eaten by the victor. It is because of this tendency towards fighting one another that the hermit crab is alternately named "soldier crab".