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 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.