![[ Submitted by Wai ] Ceres was confirmed dead due a bad moult before this photo was taken. He was missing both walking legs on the same side as his small claw. RIP.](bellyview.jpg "[ Submitted by Wai ] Ceres was confirmed dead due a bad moult before this photo was taken. He was missing both walking legs on the same side as his small claw. RIP.") |
Mouthparts Hermit crabs pinch off tiny amounts of food using their small claw before bringing it to their mouthparts, which in turn place the food through the hermit crab's mouth. |
1st limb pair This refers to the hermit crab's claws. The hermit crab's left claw is significantly larger than the other and is used to seal off the entrance of the shell when the hermit crab is in a withdrawn position. The right smaller claw is primarily used for feeding or drinking. |
2nd limb pair This refers to the hermit crab's smaller pair of walking legs. They may also be used by the hermit crab to grab hold of food. |
3rd limb pair This refers to the hermit crab's larger pair of walking legs. The hermit crab's left leg of this pair is much thicker than the right leg and is also used in conjunction with the big claw to seal off the entrance of the shell when the hermit crab is in a withdrawn position. Females have gonopores on the joints of this pair of legs. |
4th limb pair This front pair of tiny legs is usually kept inside the shell. They are not used for walking, but for helping the hermit crab reach further out of its shell when necessary and also helps hold the shell into a comfortable position. |
5th limb pair This back pair of tiny legs is usually kept inside the shell. They are not used for walking, but for wiping water onto the hermit crab's modified gills if the air is too dry. Males have gonopores on the joints of this pair of legs. |
Abdomen This soft body part is not covered by exoskeleton; therefore the hermit crab wears a shell to protect it from being damaged. The abdomen would theoretically dry out easily due to not being shielded by a layer of water-impermeable exoskeleton; hence water is stored inside the shell to keep it moist. |
Anus The hermit crab's waste is excreted through the anus and into the outside world, where it should be removed by the owner. |
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