Hairy hermit crab • Pagurus hirsutiusculus
Right: hairy hermit crab without a shell. The white bands visible near the ends of the second and third walking legs is a key identifying feature. Photo by Kelly Fretwell. Left: hairy hermit crab upright (top) and rolled on its back (bottom). Photos by Dawn Fizzard.
Identification
The hairy hermit crab grows to 2 cm long and can be identified by a few key features. Its body is covered in numerous small hairs, white bands encircle the second and third walking legs at the outer joint (particularly visible on the left legs in the top photo), and the antennae are conspicuously banded. One or two blue dots are usually visible on each walking leg. Overall colour is variable but usually fairly drab - olive green, brown, or black. It is usually found in snail shells that looks several sizes too small for it.
Habitat & Range
This common intertidal species is more abundant in protected waters, and can often be found in tidepools under rocks or seeking shelter from coralline algae and other seaweeds. It is rare in subtidal areas to a depth of 110 m. Its range extends from central Alaska to Monterey, California.
Similar Species
The greenmark hermit crab (Pagurus caurinus) has white bands on the same walking legs; it is usually smaller, has spines on its claws, and has reddish-brown antennae that are not banded.
Intriguing Info
This species abandons its small shell quickly when disturbed or provoked. Instead of using the shell for protection, its main mode of defense against predators is its speed. Barnacles occasionally grow on the carapace or legs of this species.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/63219-Pagurus-hirsutiusculus
The hairy hermit crab grows to 2 cm long and can be identified by a few key features. Its body is covered in numerous small hairs, white bands encircle the second and third walking legs at the outer joint (particularly visible on the left legs in the top photo), and the antennae are conspicuously banded. One or two blue dots are usually visible on each walking leg. Overall colour is variable but usually fairly drab - olive green, brown, or black. It is usually found in snail shells that looks several sizes too small for it.
Habitat & Range
This common intertidal species is more abundant in protected waters, and can often be found in tidepools under rocks or seeking shelter from coralline algae and other seaweeds. It is rare in subtidal areas to a depth of 110 m. Its range extends from central Alaska to Monterey, California.
Similar Species
The greenmark hermit crab (Pagurus caurinus) has white bands on the same walking legs; it is usually smaller, has spines on its claws, and has reddish-brown antennae that are not banded.
Intriguing Info
This species abandons its small shell quickly when disturbed or provoked. Instead of using the shell for protection, its main mode of defense against predators is its speed. Barnacles occasionally grow on the carapace or legs of this species.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/63219-Pagurus-hirsutiusculus
References
Cowles, D. (2005). Pagurus hirsutiusculus (Dana, 1851). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 03/11/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 68.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Christina Meschkat, Kelly Fretwell, and Brian Starzomski (2014).
Cowles, D. (2005). Pagurus hirsutiusculus (Dana, 1851). Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Accessed 03/11/2014.
Harbo, R. M. (1999). Whelks to whales: Coastal marine life of the Pacific Northwest. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing. P. 68.
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Authors and editors of page
Christina Meschkat, Kelly Fretwell, and Brian Starzomski (2014).