A Tiny Hermit Crab Close-up
In this wonderful close-up taken on the island of Olhuveli in the Maldives, we see the home of a tiny little hermit crab.
There are over 1100 species of hermit crabs and almost all of them have long, spirally curved abdomens that are soft (unlike the hard, calcified abdomens seen in related crustaceans). To protect this vulnerable area, hermit crabs salvage empty seashells to which they can retract their entire body into if under harm.
Most frequently, hermit crabs use the shells of sea snails but they have also been observed using hollow pieces of wood or stone as well.
Photograph by sleepychinchilla
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