Pagurus sinuatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pagurus sinuatus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Paguridae
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Pagurus
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P. sinuatus
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| Pagurus sinuatus (Stimpson, 1858)
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Eupagurus sinuatus Stimpson, 1858 |
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The Red Hermit Crab, known scientifically as Pagurus sinuatus, is a fascinating type of hermit crab. You can find these crabs living in the waters around Australia and the Kermadec Islands. They are usually bright red or orange, with cool colored stripes on their legs and unique patches on their bodies.
What Does It Look Like?
The Red Hermit Crab is quite a large hermit crab. It usually lives inside round snail shells, which it uses as a home to protect its soft body.
One special thing about this crab is its strong, hairy chelipeds. These are its front legs that have large claws. These claws help it stand out from other hermit crabs in Australia. The crab's body is a mix of orange and red, sometimes with patches of red or even violet.
Its walking legs, called pereiopods, have cool colored bands or stripes. The size of its "shield" (the hard part covering its head and chest) can reach up to 14.5 millimeters. This measurement helps scientists identify them.
Where Does It Live?
Pagurus sinuatus lives in the intertidal zone. This is the area along the coast that is covered by water during high tide and exposed to air during low tide.
You can find these hermit crabs along the coasts of several Australian states. These include New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. They also live far away in the Kermadec Islands, which are part of New Zealand.
