Hermit Crab (Pagurus samuelis) ~ If you see a shell "walking" in the tide pool, it's a hermit crab that has taken up residence in a discarded snail shell.  Hermit crabs are one of nature's vacuum cleaners feeding primarily on detritus and also scavenging on plant and animal material. They have five pair of legs, including a pair of claws, one of which is much larger than the other.  The large claw is used for food shredding and defense and the other is for eating.  The second and third pair of legs help the crab walk, the last two pair hold the crab in its shell. Fun Fact!  Hermit crabs perfer certain shells.  The Pagurus samuelis prefers the shells of the black turban snail.  As hermet crabs grow, they must move into larger quarters.  They will fight for a shell, if necessary, but do not harm healthy snails.  Abalone Cove has a housing shortage so please do not remove any shells from the tide pools.