Scientific Name: Dardanus lagopodes
Common Name: Hairy hermit crab

Adult size: Up to 10 cm (depending on shell size)
Depth Range: 1 – 35 m
Biotope / Habitat: Sandy or rubble slopes, coral reef bases, lagoons. Frequently seen walking along the bottom while carrying a borrowed shell.
Diet: Scavenger and opportunistic feeder. Eats detritus, algae, small invertebrates, and organic matter found on the seafloor.
Reproduction: Separate sexes; females carry fertilized eggs under the abdomen until they hatch. Larvae are planktonic before settling and finding a shell.
Fun Fact: Dardanus lagopodes often hosts sea anemones on its shell. These symbiotic passengers help with defense, while the crab provides mobility and food scraps!

With its fuzzy legs, striking red eyes, and a shell borrowed from a sea snail, the Hairy hermit crab is a classic character of the reef floor. It lumbers about in search of food or a new home, often accompanied by stinging anemones perched atop its shell for mutual protection. Don’t let the cute looks fool you—it’s a savvy survivor.