Hermit crab

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Latin name – Pagarus bernhardus 
Size – Shell up to 3.5cm long 
Habitat – All over the shore and deep water

Unlike other crabs, the hermit crab doesn’t have a hard shell to protect itself. Instead it uses an empty sea snail shell, such as a winkle or whelk shell, as a home. Its two back legs have adapted into hooks so that it can anchor itself within the shell. As the crab grows it finds a bigger shell to move into.

Hermit Crab

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Hermit crabs can be found on coasts across Britain and Ireland. If you see a shell moving about in a rockpool, take a closer look as you may be looking at a hermit crab! Photo by Hans Hillewaert.