How big does this hermit crab get?

It is a small species, with a carapace length of about 10 mm, among the smaller hermit crabs found on Japanese shores.

What kind of shells does it use?

It favors the empty shells of small marine snails, especially species such as Monodonta, Omphalius, Lunella, and Littorina.

How does it defend itself?

When threatened, it withdraws deep into its shell and blocks the opening with its enlarged right claw, which acts like a door.

Hermit Crabヤドカリ

Pagurus filholiNE— Not Evaluated

This small hermit crab is a common inhabitant of Japan's rocky, wave-exposed shorelines, sheltering in the shells of small marine snails within tide pools and under stones. An omnivorous scavenger, it feeds on detritus, algae, and carrion, and relies on its oversized right claw to seal its shell for protection.

Hermit Crab (reference photo) — Photo: ふうけ / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Decapoda / Paguridae Source
Distribution: Found along rocky, wave-exposed coastlines of Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu (as far south as Yakushima), typically in tide pools and under rocks; also occurs off southern Korea and Taiwan. Source

Did You Know?

Its right claw is noticeably larger than the left, and when startled it retreats deep into its shell and uses that large claw to seal the shell opening for protection. Source
During the breeding season, males have been observed grasping and carrying around the shell of a female prior to mating. Source
It prefers to inhabit the shells of small marine snails such as Monodonta, Omphalius, Lunella, and Littorina species. Source

Where to See This Species

4 facilities · 0 individuals

すさみ町立エビとカニの水族館 (Susami Chouritsu Ebitokanino Suizokukan)Wakayama

すさみ町立エビとカニの水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

ヨコハマおもしろ水族館 (Yokohamaomoshiro Suizokukan)KanagawaOpened in 2004

ヨコハマおもしろ水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

京都水族館 (Kyouto Suizokukan)KyotoJR「京都」駅中央口から徒歩約15分。

京都水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

京都大学白浜水族館 (Kyoutodaigakushirahama Suizokukan)WakayamaOpened in 1930

京都大学白浜水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNの世界的評価は掲載されていないためnull。

Habitat

日本近海の潮間帯から浅海。

Threats

海岸環境の改変
空き殻の減少
海洋ごみ

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

海岸清掃
沿岸環境の保全

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

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Furusato Nozei: Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How big does this hermit crab get?: It is a small species, with a carapace length of about 10 mm, among the smaller hermit crabs found on Japanese shores. Source
What kind of shells does it use?: It favors the empty shells of small marine snails, especially species such as Monodonta, Omphalius, Lunella, and Littorina. Source
How does it defend itself?: When threatened, it withdraws deep into its shell and blocks the opening with its enlarged right claw, which acts like a door. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org