A home-shell change in a hermit crab

(1.6MB, 00:00:05)
Shot Date: 2003/04/27

species
Pagurus filholi

Key Words
exchange
home




Michiko Sato
2003/05/01 submitted


Animalia >Arthropoda >Malacostraca >Decapoda >Paguridae >Pagurus >
or
Animalia >Unidentified >Unidentified >Unidentified >Unidentified >Unidentified >

A hermit crab examines shape and size of a new shell with its claw. When the new shell fits it better than the current one does, it quickly moves into the new one. Home shells are always in short supply, and hence it is difficult for a hermit crab to find a good shell or a shell that fits it. Because of the home-shell shortage, a hermit crab sometimes robs another hermit crab of its shell or attacks a live gastropod. Two hermit crabs may exchange their home shells if a shell exchange is beneficial for both. (translated by Asoh)

(Data No.momo030428pf01b)

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