Pagurus Photos

Hermit crab. Hermit crabs wear shells to protect their soft abdomens, which are asymmetrical and curved to fit the spiral shape of their shell. Like all crabs, hermit crabs are decapods; they have five pairs of legs, including a pair of claws. One claw is much larger than the other, the hermit crab uses it for defense and food shredding while it uses the smaller claw for eating. The second and third pairs of legs help the crab walk, and the last two pairs hold the hermit crab in its shell.
Species: Hermit crab, Pagurus
Image ID: 13693  

Hermit crab in olive shell.
Species: Hermit crab, Olivella biplicata, Pagurus granosimanus
Location: Monterey, California
Image ID: 01033