Bering hermit crab • Pagurus beringanus
A bering hermit crab in a frilled dogwinkle (Nucella lamellosa) shell, among a mass of frilled dogwinkle egg cases. Photo by Wiebe Nijland.
Identification
The main identifying feature for this hermit crab is its pale blue or greyish walking legs with red bands or spots at the joints and red spines. Its reddish-coloured claws have a dense covering of spines, and the right claw is larger than the left. The carapace of the Bering hermit crab reaches 2.5 cm long. This species prefers thick, heavy shells that have room for it to fully retract, such as the frilled dogwinkle's shell (Nucella lamellosa).
Habitat & Range
The Bering hermit crab inhabits rocky locations, particularly in semi-protected waters, from the very low intertidal and subtidal 364 m deep. While its range extends from the Bering Sea to Monterey, California, it is particularly common in BC and Washington.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/362749-Pagurus-beringanus
The main identifying feature for this hermit crab is its pale blue or greyish walking legs with red bands or spots at the joints and red spines. Its reddish-coloured claws have a dense covering of spines, and the right claw is larger than the left. The carapace of the Bering hermit crab reaches 2.5 cm long. This species prefers thick, heavy shells that have room for it to fully retract, such as the frilled dogwinkle's shell (Nucella lamellosa).
Habitat & Range
The Bering hermit crab inhabits rocky locations, particularly in semi-protected waters, from the very low intertidal and subtidal 364 m deep. While its range extends from the Bering Sea to Monterey, California, it is particularly common in BC and Washington.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/362749-Pagurus-beringanus
References
Jensen, G.C. (1995). Pacific Coast Crabs and Shrimp. Monterey, CA: Sea Challengers. P. 65.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwlel (2016).
Jensen, G.C. (1995). Pacific Coast Crabs and Shrimp. Monterey, CA: Sea Challengers. P. 65.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Kelly Fretwlel (2016).