Hermit Crab (Land)
About the Hermit Crab (Land)
They are not true crabs - they have soft abdomens that require shells for protection. They must find progressively larger shells as they grow, leading to shell vacancy chains where dozens line up by size to exchange shells simultaneously. They can live 30+ years. Land hermit crabs have modified gills that function as lungs. They return to the ocean to breed. They are popular pets but most die within a year due to improper care. Over 800 species of hermit crab exist. They are the oceans recyclers, eating dead animals and algae.
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