Common Hermit Crab
 

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)   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:   The furry covering on the shell is the hydroid Hydractinia echinata. hydrozoan Hydractinia echinata  http://www.zoo.uni-heidelberg.de/Zoo2/Leitz/hydractinia.htm 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 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Andy Horton Links:  Photograph showing the reduced fifth pair of legs Footage showing a Hermit Crab with its claws withdrawn into its adopted shell (CD-ROM only).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