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 Crab Database

  Common Hermit Crab
 
Photograph by Andy Horton (Copyright protected)
Common Name(s):
  Common Hermit Crab
Scientific Name:
       Pagurus bernhardus
Family:
Usual Size:  cm 
                     Photographs by Andy Horton 
Identification:

Colour, usually orange but occasionally bluish specimens are discovered. 
More Information and Photographs (Link)
 

Common Hermit Crab in the shell of a Sting Winkle (Photograph by Andy Horton)


The major larger claw is always on the right side nearest the apex of the adopted shell when viewed from the front. 

The Hermit Crab on the left is Diogenes pugilator with the major claw on the left.

Similar species: 
Breeding: 
 

Pagurus bernhardus dislodged from its protective whelk shell, with eggs attached to the soft abdomen.

Habitat:
  Food:
Scraps of food, worms, organic detritus.
Bionomics:
Living together with the sea anemone Calliactis parasitica and other epilithic life.(Link)
There is a small discussion and observations of Hermit Crabs with Calliactis on the
Marine Wildlife of the North-east Atlantic Ocean Group (commenced 1 August 2000)
Group Home:  http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Glaucus
Use the Search Messages method and type in Calliactis.
Range:
Additional Notes:

Hermit Crabs off Worthing (Photograph by Paul Parsons)

Hermit Crabs off Worthing 
Photograph by Paul Parsons

More Information

Hermit Crabs in Torbay
Aquarium Notes

Hermit Crabs (Isle of Wight) including Pagurus cuanensis
on Luke Richards' web pages

Pagurus cuanensis  (CD-ROM ONLY) Andy Horton

Links: 
Photograph showing the reduced fifth pair of legs
Footage showing a Hermit Crab with its claws withdrawn into its adopted shell (CD-ROM only). 

Hermit Crabs for the younger student (NE Atlantic species only)
 
 
Crustacean Photograph Portfolio 
(Marine Wildlife of the North-east Atlantic Ocean Group)

Information wanted: Please send any records of this crab, with location, date, who discovered it, how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to 
Shorewatch Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com. 
All messages will receive a reply. 
 
Shorewatch Project

 

FIVE KINGDOMS TAXONOMIC INDEX TO BRITISH MARINE WILDLIFE
Use these links if your are familiar with the scientific classifications of marine life
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