Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab
ExploreInvertebrate
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab
pagurus hirsutiusculus
The Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab is a tiny, colorful creature that loves to explore the ocean floor! With its soft body tucked inside a shell, it scuttles along in search of food and new homes.
Habitat: They live in tide pools and sandy ocean floors along the Pacific coast.
Appearance
The Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab has a mottled reddish-brown or greenish body covered in stiff hairs, especially on its legs. It has long, slender antennae and prominent eyestalks. Its soft abdomen is curled, protected inside a salvaged snail shell, making it visually distinct from true crabs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderDecapodaFamilyPaguridaeGenusPagurus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Hermit crabs aren't true crabs; their soft, asymmetrical bodies don't grow their own shell!
Its soft, spiraling abdomen needs a shell to protect it from hungry predators!
Sometimes, crabs fight over the perfect empty snail shell for a new home!
They use their amazing sense of smell to find food, even buried under sand!
Special abilities
Ability
Shell-Shifter
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab can switch into new, larger shells as it grows because this protects its soft abdomen.
Ability
Fuzzy Protector
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab has stiff hairs on its legs and body that help it grip surfaces and deter predators.
Ability
Periscope Eyes
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab can peek above its shell using long eyestalks to spot both food and danger quickly.
Measurements & details
- Length Cm
- 2.5-6.5 cm
- Lifespan Years
- 1-5 years
Diet & Feeding
They are omnivores, munching on tiny bits of plants and dead animals found in the ocean.
Primary Foods
- algae
- detritus
- small invertebrates
- carrion
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Giant Pacific Octopus
Enteroctopus dofleini
A common predator that can pull crabs from their shells.
eaten by
Sunflower Sea Star
Pycnopodia helianthoides
A large sea star that preys on many intertidal invertebrates.
eats
Sea Lettuce
Ulva lactuca
Grazes on this common seaweed found in tide pools.
eats
California Mussel
Mytilus californianus
Scavenges on dead mussels found in the tide pools.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Fuzzy CrabHairy Hermit CrabPacific Hermit Crab
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab?
2.5-6.5 cm
How long does Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab live?
1-5 years
What does Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab eat?
They are omnivores, munching on tiny bits of plants and dead animals found in the ocean.
Where is Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab usually found?
They live in tide pools and sandy ocean floors along the Pacific coast.
How does Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab hunt?
Foraging
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