Hermit crab

Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea, distinct from the true crabs in the infra-order Brachyura. Most hermit crabs salvage empty seashells to shelter and protect their soft abdomens. There are about five hundred known species of hermit crabs in the world; although they are mostly aquatic, there are also some terrestrial species. A number of species, most notably king crabs, have abandoned seashells for a free-living life; these species have forms similar to true crabs and are known as carcinized hermit crabs. Other species inhabit shells as juveniles and abandon them as adults, most notably the coconut crab.

Related Topics:
Decapod - Crustacea - Crab - Seashell - Abdomen - Species - King crab - Carcinized - Coconut crab

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The species most commonly kept as pets in the United States are the Caribbean hermit crab (Coenobita clypeatus) and the Pacific hermit crab (Coenobita compressus). In Europe, the common hermit crab (Eupagurus bernhardus) is popular.

Related Topics:
United States - Caribbean hermit crab - Pacific hermit crab - Europe - Common hermit crab

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