Hermit crabs are crustaceans that occupy the shells of other animals and usually live in an aquatic habit.Snails are invertebrates that carry a shell to protect their delicate body. What is the relationship between these two diverse species?A hermit crab and a snail shell share a symbiotic relationship. Hermit crabs form such relationships with sea anemones as well. This is a stable connection found in nature. Several animals share this kind of relationship wherein they are interdependent on one another, and each gains some kind of benefit. The benefit can vary depending on the animal and its needs. Most people believe that a hermit crab will kill a snail to live in its shell. This is not true. It only acquires a shell after a snail is dead and has no part in the death of the snail. If this is true, how does a hermit crab find its way to a snail shell? A dead snail releases a smell that helps a crab locate a shell. Continue reading to know more about the relationship between a hermit crab and a snail.You can also check out our articles on how hermit crabs mate and how long hermit crabs live.Can hermit crabs use snail shells?Hermit crabs love snail shells.When a hermit crab is small, it looks for a shell that is of the same size. When it outgrows a small shell, it will transfer to a larger shell. The small shell is then discarded. The hermit crab’s body fits perfectly within the shell of a snail. It has a coiled abdomen, which makes this possible. Hermit crabs are very picky. They do not choose just any shell. They check the quality of the shell and look for any holes or broken areas. This is to make sure that the shell can store moisture properly. They do not like broken snail shells. Hermit crabs can also use other shells, including escargot shells.Why do hermit crabs and snails live together?Hermit crabs and snails share a symbiotic relationship.Symbiosis is defined as a relationship between two different organisms that are living in the same habitat for mutual benefits. The symbiosis between hermit crabs and snails is called commensalism.Hermit crabs and sea anemones have a symbiotic relationship. The sea anemone is a marine, predatory animal that has tentacles. Sea anemones attach themselves to hermit crabs and start to co-habit. The hermit crab seeks protection from the sea anemone, which protects the hermit crab from predators, like an octopus, using their tentacles. The tentacles of a sea anemone are poisonous to its prey and predators. A sting from the tentacles of sea anemones can deliver a huge amount of pain. Sea anemones benefit from hermit crabs when they release scraps of food after eating. Sea anemones feed on the scraps of food. As a hermit grows, the sea anemone also grows. When a hermit crab finds a larger shell, it will also take a sea anemone.Do snails change shells like hermit crabs?Unlike hermit crabs, snails do not change their shells.This is because snails have their own shells, which grow as they grow. When a snail is born, its visceral hump twists and forms a snail shell. When snails are young, the shell is transparent. As they grow, their shell becomes thick and acquire colors. A snail shell is solidified with calcium carbonate, which is spread by the glands in a snail’s body.If snails don’t leave their shells, then why do you see empty shells? Snail shells can easily be found beneath shrubs. Ants and predators eat snails and leave shells behind. This is why you find empty snail shells.What is the symbiotic relationship between hermit crabs and snail shells?The symbiotic relationship between a hermit and a snail shell is known as commensalism.Commensalism occurs when one organism gains from the other while the other organism neither benefits nor suffers as a result of the interaction. Hermit crabs use the shells of snails to protect themselves. They can live together peacefully as long as hermits receive ample amounts of food. Hermit crabs, being opportunistic feeders, can kill snails and feed on them or kill them for their shells. Hermit crabs grow bigger and cannot fit in their shell after some time. They look for new shells which are large enough for them and their sea anemones. Sea anemones are present on the back of their shells.Hermit crabs seldom feed on snails unless compelled to do so due to food shortage or stress; thus, snails enjoy their lives, and upon their death, the shells become available to hermit crabs. The snail or the hard exoskeleton shell is unaffected by whether or not a hermit crab picks a particular shell to occupy.How long can a hermit crab live without a shell?A hermit crab’s shell acts as a protective coating around its exoskeleton.It not only gives protection against natural predators but also from wind, light and heat. External factors play a major role in the death of a hermit crab without a shell. Since it loses its body moisture and dries out when exposed to such factors, a hermit crab depends on shells and never leaves its shell. Hermit crabs have soft abdominal areas, which can be easily attacked by predators without a protective layer. They can die quickly without their shells.Are baby hermit crabs born with shells?No. Since hermit crabs are not true crabs, they are not born with shells. Instead, they get their shells from other organisms like snails.The eggs laid by a hermit crab come in contact with water, after which zoea are born. A zoea gets its shell after surviving for 60 days. The first shells gained by hermit crabs are usually the shells of a snail. They get shells mainly from seawater. Before trying a new shell, a hermit crab will always try it on to see if it is comfortable and fits its taste.How do hermit crabs keep their shells on?Since hermit crabs do not grow their shells, they are not naturally attached to their bodies.They have a curled hook on their tail that permits them to fit inside a shell. Hermit crabs will only exit their shells and look for new shells if they are certain that there are no predators and when the sunlight is low. Hermit crabs can get their shells from dead hermit crabs, crabs that have discovered a new shell, from other animals, or by battling other hermit crabs. They alter their shells regularly, once a year. Females have a better chance of finding a shell that fits them since they are smaller than males.Why do my hermit crabs hide all the time?Hermit crabs are nocturnal. They do most of their work in the hours when you are sleeping. They are less active during the day. It is not that they are hiding, they are probably just taking a rest. This is why you don’t get to see your pets often.Change in habitat can also be a reason. Your crab’s habitat may not be ideal. If you recently purchased a hermit crab, it has several very valid reasons to be upset. Being shifted to an entirely new environment can be distressing. Give them space. They will settle down in a few days once they are calm. Though you might not see hermit crabs often, they are social. Crabs are used to living in colonies. So when they are kept alone, they might not feel good about it. You need not be worried when your hermit crab is inside its shell. The problem begins when they are out of their shell for long hours, as this means that they are sick.Did You Know…Hermit crabs, as pets, may only survive for a year or two. In its natural habitat, a hermit crab’s life span is 30 years. The family has over 800 species. The hermit crab was first discovered by two independent scientists, J. R. Henderson and A Alcock, in the 12th century.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘Hermit crab and snail shell relationship’, then why not take a look at ‘How big do hermit crabs get?’ or ‘Hermit crab facts’?
Hermit crabs are crustaceans that occupy the shells of other animals and usually live in an aquatic habit.
