Hermit crab Pagurus spp
These house-shifters can be recognised if they are walking rather sliding, and usually opt for a spiral whelk or winkle shell. Typically found on rocky shores in the pools left by the receding tide.
Conservation status in Norfolk
Not threatened
How to help
The marine environment is under pressure and by supporting campaigns for better protection of marine ecosystems we can help the hermit crab and other marine invertebrates
Dawn Watson
Information on the Hermit crab
How to recognise
Any shells which walk rather than slide probably contain a hermit crab, they tend to adopt spiral whelk and winkle shells as homes.
There are many different types of hermit crabs which can occupy almost any size of shell you might find. When startled they can withdraw into their shell if it is large enough - where a mollusc has a wet circular foot hermit crabs have 8 pointed legs and two pincers which sometimes interlock to form a door. The small ones can't easily be told apart, but large ones (more than 20mm long) are Pagurus bernhardus.
Where to see
The best place to find hermit crabs is on rocky shores in the pools of water left when the tide recedes. West Runton is the most significant rocky beach in Norfolk, but they may also occur on beaches and beach defences such as groynes and pier legs. Divers and snorkelers can see these in the shallows and at depth.
When to see
They can be seen all year round.
Did you know?
They aren't really crabs at all and are more closely related to lobsters, this is more obvious when they are naked and their long soft body can be seen.
Hermit crabs must change their shells as they out grow them, this can lead to fights when shells are in short supply - weaker animals can be evicted. Some hermit crabs wear anemones for protection from predators and will transfer them when they move to a new larger shell.
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