# 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. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** They live in tide pools and sandy ocean floors along the Pacific coast. - **Also known as:** Fuzzy Crab, Hairy Hermit Crab, Pacific Hermit Crab ![Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/P._hirsutiusculus_2.JPG&width=800) Photo: Adacam18, Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P._hirsutiusculus_2.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Malacostraca - **Order:** Decapoda - **Family:** Paguridae - **Genus:** Pagurus ## 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 - **Shell-Shifter:** Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab can switch into new, larger shells as it grows because this protects its soft abdomen. - **Fuzzy Protector:** Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab has stiff hairs on its legs and body that help it grip surfaces and deter predators. - **Periscope Eyes:** Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab can peek above its shell using long eyestalks to spot both food and danger quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 2.5-6.5 cm - **Lifespan:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Invertebrates](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/invertebrates) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Birch Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birch-aquarium-california) — California, US · Aquarium - [Heal the Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heal-the-bay-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo - [Saltwater State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saltwater-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park [View all places to see Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-hairy-hermit-crab) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-hairy-hermit-crab)