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hermit crab

From: Encyclopedia Britannica | Date: 2007 | Copyright information

Any crab (families Paguridae and Coenobitidae) that uses empty shells or other hollow objects as a shelter for partial containment and protection of the body. They are found worldwide in sandy- or muddy-bottomed waters and occasionally on land and in trees. They have two pairs of antennae and four pairs of legs; the first pair of legs is modified to form pincers, shaped to cover the shell entrance when the animal is inside. As the crab grows, it periodically leaves its shell and finds a larger one to occupy. The reddish brown large hermit crab (Pagurus pollicaris; 4–5 in., or 10–12 cm, long) and the small hermit crab (P. longicarpus) are found in North American Atlantic coastal waters.For more information on hermit crab, visit Britannica.com.

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"hermit crab." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Jan. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

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	Hello, little crab.(Science) Magazine article from: Weekly Reader, Edition K (including Science Spin); 5/1/2005; 448 words ; ...horseshoe crab. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Meet a Hermit Crab Hermit crabs live in the empty shells of other animals. This hermit crab is peeking out of its shell. Hello, hermit crab! A hermit crab nibbles on a fish. A hermit crab makes tracks... Read more
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	(book reviews) Magazine article from: Women and Language; 3/22/1994; ; 700+ words ; ...this stage of my life: The section on the Hermit Crab and the story of Miss Rumphius. The Hermit Crab periodically outgrows his home and so...one that leaves a little room to grow, Hermit Crab is very vulnerable. He can be eaten by... Read more
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Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	hermit crab Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition ...bamboo cane. When the hermit crab grows out of one...such as the robber crab, Birgus latro, are...species, the largest hermit crab, generally reaches...pincers the robber crab has been known to...climbing palm trees. Hermit crabs are classified... Read more
	hermit crab Book article from: World Encyclopedia hermit crab Small, crab-like crustacean found in tidal pools and shallow water worldwide. It uses sea-snail shells to protect its soft abdomen, changing shells as it grows. Some are terrestrial and do not use shells as adults. Family Paguridae. Read more
	hermit crabs Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology hermit crabs See PAGURIDAE . Read more
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	crabs Book article from: A Dictionary of Zoology crabs 1. See CRUSTACEA ; DECAPODA ; CANCRIDAE . 2. (hermit crabs) See PAGURIDAE . 3. (land crabs) See GECARCINIDAE . 4. (mud crabs) See XANTHIDAE . 5. (spider crabs) See MAJIDAE . 6. (stone crab, Menippe mercenaria ) See XANTHIDAE . 7. (swimming crabs) See PORTUNIDAE . Read more