I love the life of hermit crabs. Hermit crabs are Invertebrates and are classified as Crustaceans. They are born without their own shells and must acquire empty shells to protect their soft bodies.
Empty shells left behind by dead snails become desirable habitats for hermit crabs. As they grow, these shells become cramped and uncomfortable, so hermit crabs must find new shells that fit their bodies.
They are willing to wander long distances to find new shells. However, empty shells are often limited, leading to intense competition among hermit crabs for new homes. Inanimate objects like bottle caps, oyster shells, or hollow logs sometimes serve as alternatives, as snail shells are scarce.
I caught a hermit crab recently. It had a beautiful, suitable shell. It seems to have had better luck than the others.
These photos are my own, taken with POCO X3 NFC smartphone + external macro lens.
