31/10/2025
Hermit crabs, belonging to the Paguridae family within the Decapoda order (like crabs, lobsters, and shrimps), are crustaceans known for their soft and asymmetrical abdomens, which lead them to live, for protection, in the shells left by mollusks. When they grow, and the shells are no longer suitable for their size, they seek a new "home" to occupy, often exchanging with other hermit crabs. Hermit crabs play an important role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the cleanliness of the seabed and influencing the distribution and abundance of other marine species.