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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Common Hermit Crab

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean

Always searching for a better-fitting shell, the hermit crab roams the seabed with its home on its back. Easy to observe on rocks or sand, it plays a useful role by eating debris, remains and small organisms.

Habitat de Common Hermit Crab Habitat
Detrital bottom, Maerl, Rocky habitat, Sand
Profondeur de Common Hermit Crab Depth
1-40 m
Groupe biologique de Common Hermit Crab Group
Crustacean
Rôle écologique de Common Hermit Crab Role
Decomposer, Ecosystem engineer

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The hermit crab is a crustacean with a soft, unprotected abdomen, unlike the front of its body, which has a rigid carapace. For protection, it takes shelter inside an empty gastropod shell.It has ten legs: some are used for walking, others for holding its body inside the shell. One of its claws, often larger, can close the entrance to the shell when danger threatens.Its colour generally ranges from brown to reddish, allowing it to blend into its surroundings.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It occurs on different types of seabed: sandy, muddy or rocky.It lives from shallow areas down to several tens of metres, moving around in search of food and suitable shells.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is an opportunistic animal that feeds mainly on organic remains.It also eats small invertebrates, molluscs and plant fragments, thereby playing an important role in cleaning the seabed.

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Other species — Crustacean

Hermit crab Sponge Crab Anemone Spider Crab Narwal Shrimp Spider crab Shamefaced Crab Banded Squat Lobster Spiny Spider Crab

Same habitat and depth

Detrital seabed species Maerl bed species Rocky seabed species Sandy seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Decomposer species Ecosystem engineer species

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