Hermit Crab

Sydney has several species of hermit crabs, which are mostly found in intertidal areas of rocky shores, beaches and mangroves. Pagurus sinuatus is a common species found on Sydney's rocky shore.

The Hermit Crab (Pagurus sinuatus) is a large species of hermit crab that normally inhabits a shell.

It is easily identified by its colour and hairy claws. Its body is orange and red, with patches of red or violet colour. The walking legs are banded.

Hermit crabs are unlike other crabs because their abdomen is not covered by an exoskeleton, but is soft and delicate.

The Hermit Crab lives on intertidal rocky shores and in mangroves and estuaries.

Distribution

The Hermit Crab is found from Sydney in New South Wales; Victoria; South Australia to Shark Bay in Western Australia. Also New Zealand.

Like most hermit crabs, Pagurus sinuatus is a scavenger but may also feed on crabs and other live prey.

To overcome the problem of their soft abdomen, they use discarded snail shells for protection.

Like other crustaceans, hermit crabs moult in order to grow, but when their shell becomes too small they must go in search of another one. They inspect the shells by holding them up and turning them over before leaving the safety of their current home. Sometimes the chosen shell just isn't right so they move back to their original shell and start the search again. Competition can be tough for the best shells and occasionally fights break out between hermit crabs.