Hermit Crab Getting Into His Shell

[Tom Nic]

Bnboly & I found this guy in the shallows at Sund. I haven't had a chance to ID what type of Hermit Crab he is. This guy was fun because he just popped out of his shell when we approached him. He definitely is growing to where he needs a new home.

Here he is beside his shell.
<a href="" title="CIMG8083 by thomasnicodemus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/220 ... 6b5fcb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CIMG8083"></a>

Now he positions his shell vertically so he can get back in.
<a href="" title="CIMG8084 by thomasnicodemus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/220 ... ca3a18.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CIMG8084"></a>

He begins to slip back into "his" shell.
<a href="" title="CIMG8085 by thomasnicodemus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/220 ... fb9c12.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CIMG8085"></a>

Voila! All is good! It's easy to see that he needs a new shell!
<a href="" title="CIMG8086 by thomasnicodemus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/220 ... 46c902.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CIMG8086"></a>

I'll try and look him up later, no time now. I haven't seen a ton of this particular species. If anybody's interested and want to try your ID'ing skills you are welcome!
-Tom Nic
<a href="" title="CIMG8088 by thomasnicodemus, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/220 ... b1b648.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="CIMG8088"></a>

[Huskychemist]

Very cool image cycle!

Makes diving fun.

[John Rawlings]

Hi, Tom!

In leafing through Greg Jensen's book I think that I may have found your "culprit"!

I think that it is a "Hairy hermit", Pagurus hirsutiusculus.

In addition to the obvious "hairiness" that appears in your photos there are blue spots and white bands on the walking legs. Its olive-green color also seems to fit with this species. There also appears to be some banding on the antennae in at least one of your photos, which also works for P. hirsutiusculus .

Additionally, Greg mentions the following: "This active hermit uses a small, lightweight shell that it often abandons when handled", which seems to be the behavior that you observed.

Perhaps we can get Greg to chime in on this one!

- John

[Tom Nic]

Fantastic John!

That sure describes this little bugger. He popped out of his shell in a flash, then back in, and when he was tired of us he took off much quicker than your typical Black Eyed or other Hermit crab I've seen.

Thanks!

-Tom Nic

[Greg Jensen]

Yep, it's a hirsutiusculus. Main reason most divers don't see it very often is because it's an intertidal species, living where we're putting on our fins rather than where we're looking.

[Tom Nic]

Yep, it's a hirsutiusculus. Main reason most divers don't see it very often is because it's an intertidal species, living where we're putting on our fins rather than where we're looking.

Thanks Greg!

Indeed, we found it in the rocks at about 6 fsw right at the end of the dive.