Hairy hermit crab
Pagurus hirsutiusculus
38.3178, -123.07
Field Notes
Description:
Hairy hermit crab 2.5cm x 1.5cm x 1.5cm with white bands on walking legs, in a Northern Dogwinkle (Nucella ostrina) shell. "The right chela of P. hirsutiusculus is significantly larger than the left and is used primarily for defense. The smaller left chela is used for fine motor work such as eating and selecting gastropod shells (Wikipedia)."
Habitat:
Medium high to lower rocky intertidal of latitudes above San Francisco CA to depths of several hundred feet, generally lower than P. samuelis (pagsam usually has blue bands and chela of equal size, and prefers Tegula shells).
Notes:
"Harriet" hermit crab was feeding on algae (Silvetia compressa, golden rockweed?) when we interrupted her for a screen test - next stop, Hollywood (she says she wants to direct). See the video.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment