| Range: |
Southern Florida, Caribbean Islands, nothern South America |
| Habitat: |
Forests, coastal areas |
| Conservation Status: |
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| Scientific Name: |
Coenobita clypeatus |
Hermit crabs are the ultimate "trespassers." They live in homes created by others, i.e., seashells.
Unlike other crabs, hermits have soft exoskeletons (external coverings). This means they need protection from the elements, as well as a place to hide from predators. So they've evolved the habit of taking over abandoned seashells.
The crabs' soft bodies allow them to twist into curved shells, leaving only their claws outside. They carry the shell on their back as they move along the ocean floor. Each hermit crab occupies one shell at a time. As the animal outgrows its home, it moves on to larger accommodations.
Although living inside a seashell is a handy enough way to hide from predators, some hermit crabs carry the deception even further. A few species deliberately attach sponges to their shells; still others attach sea anemones. The anemones not only camouflage the hermit crab's portable home, but also protect the premises with their stinging tentacles!
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