Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are small, shy crustaceans that protect their soft bodies by living in the empty seashell they find along the coast. They are scuttling across rocks, sand, and tidepools in search of food like algae and tiny invertebrates. As they grow hermit crabs will switch to larger shells, sometimes competing with others for the best fit. These clever little scavengers are always fun to find in the tidepools. The Blueband Hermit Crab is the most common hermit crab in California.