hermit crab

views updated May 17 2018

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.

hermit crab

views updated Jun 27 2018

her·mit crab • n. a crab with a soft asymmetrical abdomen that lives in a castoff mollusk shell for protection.