Common Hermit Crab

Name: Common Hermit Crab

Scientific name: Pagurus bernhardus

Category: Marine

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: Hermit crabs live inside the empty shells of snail-like animals, particularly whelks and periwinkles. They live on sandy and rocky shores, where they scavenge on plant and animal remains. They have hard pincers, but a soft body which is hidden inside the shell.

How to identify: This is the largest of several species of very similar hermit crabs.

Where: Found all round our shores.

Fantastic fact: As they grow, hermit crabs move into ever larger shells.

Photograph credit: Les Binns