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Hermit crabs that need shells (most of them) are usually found where populations of snails live. In these areas, the snails must rarely be prayed upon by anything that destroys their shells in the process of eating or capture. The snail might also die and the body be removed by a hermit crab. Hermit crabs typically fight over shells as they continue to grow for most of their lives, and the shells don't. Snail shells are the most common 'house' simply because hermit crabs survive best where lots of snails are also found. But any light but strong item that the hermit crab can carry, grasp, and hide completely inside of might be used. Bamboo joints, empty coconuts, and human garbage have been used by them. When presented with a surplus of shells, a hermit crab may switch continuously and are sometimes thought of as picky, indecisive, of suffering from a 'grass is always greener' syndrome. However, sometimes they are simply using the sheel best suited for their current activity, such as a comfortable shell for sleeping in that might be two heavy to carry around while awake. An inner spiral shape is preferred because the hermit crabs' bodies are twisted to match spiraling snail shells and one of their claws is shaped to be a makeshift door in a snail shell. Hermit crabs that live in the sea may also coax a sea anemone to reside on their shells. Stray particles of food that the hermit crab drops are likely to drift to the anemone while the hermit crab has the piece of mind to know that it's predators want to avoid the anemone's sting.

Terrestrial, or *mostly* terrestrial hermit crabs with shells still need to keep their abdomens moist and must be near water to constantly water their homes. Some terrestrial hermit crabs abandon shells at a young age, or never use them at all. The largest existing terrestrial invertebrate is a hermit crab that cracks coconuts with its claw and eats them. These large crabs are known to steal shiny items from humans, such as pots and pans (or coins, in videogames).

Hermit craps can make a chriping noise. No one knows how or exactly why.
Zerothis - # 2009-08-06 08:03:55