Scientific name:

Pagurus bernhardus

About:

Hermit crabs live inside the empty shells of snail-like animals, particularly whelks and periwinkles. They live on sandy and rocky shores, where they scavenge on plant and animal remains. They have hard pincers, but a soft body which is hidden inside the shell.

How to identify:

<p>This is the largest of several species of very similar hermit crabs.</p>

Where:

Found all round our shores.

Fantastic facts:

As they grow, hermit crabs move into ever larger shells.