hermit crabs
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Hermit Crabs
![Page 2: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
A hermit crab does not have its own hard shell.
![Page 3: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
�It starts out as an
egg which is laid in the ocean.
![Page 4: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
While in the ocean, the eggs hatch. At first, they look like brine shrimp.
![Page 5: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
They stay in the ocean growing slowly until they resemble their parents and can climb back on land.
![Page 6: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Hermit crabs have soft stomachs or abdomens. They are easily gobbled up by birds or small
animals as they come ashore.
![Page 7: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
�Once on land, these tiny hermit crabs must
find shelter or they will die.
![Page 8: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
So for protection, a hermit crab usually lives in a shell. It carries its home wherever it
goes.
![Page 9: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
A hermit crab's soft body is naturally flexible and can twist easily to fit into the spiral
interior of a snail’s shell
![Page 10: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
When it finds a shell, the hermit crab's abdomen forms to the shape of that shell. For most of its life, a crab will
prefer shells with the same shape because it's comfortable for them.
![Page 11: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Some species of hermit crabs live in the ocean. These particular crabs do not make good pets.
![Page 12: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Most adult hermit crabs are from 1/2 inch (13 mm) to 4 3/4 inches (121 mm) long.
![Page 13: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
![Page 14: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Hermit crabs are both herbivorous (plant eaters) and scavengers. In the wild, hermit crabs feed on
animal and plant remains, overripe fruit and droppings from other animals.
![Page 15: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Hermit crabs are crustaceans.
All crustaceans have hard skin, gills and two pairs of antennae.
![Page 16: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
A hermit crab has round eyes on the end of eyestalks.
![Page 17: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
A hermit crab has five pairs of legs or ten legs in all. Not all of the legs are fully developed.
![Page 19: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Only six legs show. These front six legs are known as walking legs.
![Page 20: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Hermit crabs keep their four back legs inside their shell. The back legs are much smaller than the walking
legs.
![Page 21: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
The front pair of legs ends in claws, or pinchers. The left front leg is usually larger than the right claw and has a large pincher. The crab uses this large pincher for moving
around and defending itself.
![Page 22: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
When the crab is hiding inside its shell, it uses this pincher to seal off the shell’s opening. The right front leg has a smaller pincher, which the
crab uses to eat and drink.
![Page 23: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Some hermit crabs only live for 2-3 months, but some can live up to 20-30 years.
![Page 24: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
They have an exoskeleton, or outer skin, which they moult to grow.
![Page 25: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Moulting is a process of shedding their exoskeleton so they can grow a little.
![Page 26: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
.
How many times a crab moults depends on its size, health and habitat. If it is not living in ideal conditions it will moult less often and if it lives in a good habitat, it will
moult whenever it feels like it.
![Page 27: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Hermit crabs grow very slowly, only about a millimeter a year, so they will not need a new shell
right after shedding their skin. Moulting has nothing to do with switching shells.
![Page 28: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
When a hermit crab does outgrow its shell, it switches to a larger one. Some species switch shells even if the
shell still fits.
![Page 29: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
![Page 30: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Hermit crabs seek out abandoned shells for protection from predators.
![Page 31: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
When a hermit crab finds one of the proper size, it pulls itself inside, leaving several legs
and its head outside the shell.
![Page 32: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Different hermit crabs like different kinds of shells, and they also
enjoy “shopping” for shells. Hermit crabs will spend a lot of
time checking out new shells
![Page 33: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Shell changes take a matter of seconds, and depending on the species, can happen on an almost
weekly basis or take months or years.
![Page 34: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
In places where discarded shells are hard to come by, hermit crabs may cover themselves with a coconut shell, a piece of bamboo, or
anything else they may find.
![Page 35: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
![Page 37: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
![Page 38: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
![Page 39: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Hermit crabs are nocturnal and are busiest at night. They are social creatures that do best when
they live in groups.
![Page 40: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
![Page 41: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
![Page 42: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
In the wild, they may travel in packs of up to 100 crabs, scavenging the beach for food and shells.
![Page 43: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
If you choose to have a hermit Crab as a pet, remember they are social creatures. Your hermit crab will enjoy living with other hermit crabs. There are
many books that can help you learn to set up the right environment and care for your new pet.
![Page 44: Hermit crabs](https://reader030.vdocuments.us/reader030/viewer/2022020108/58efc47f1a28ab06418b46a7/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
References Audrey Pavia (2006). "What is a hermit crab?". Hermit
Crab. Volume 51 of Your Happy Healthy Pet (2nd ed.). John Wiley and Sons. pp. 13–22. ISBN 978-0-471-79379-3.
Sue Fox (2000). "About hermit crabs." Hermit Crabs: a Complete Pet Owner's Manual. Barron's Educational Series. pp. 5–10. ISBN 978-0-7641-1229-4.
Hermit crab - Wikipedia, (January 18, 2014), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit_crab