Illustration of hermit crab
hermit crab
noun
: any of numerous chiefly marine small decapod crustaceans (especially families Diogenidae, Paguridae, and Parapaguridae) having soft asymmetrical abdomens and occupying the empty shells of gastropods
Examples of hermit crab in a Sentence
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Smaller critters — hermit crabs, lightning whelks and snails — skittered along the seafloor.
—
Max Chesnes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
One of Rocha’s favorite discoveries was a hermit crab that uses clam-like shells as its home.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The tide pools bring back fond childhood memories for me of exploring the rocks and discovering all the little sea creatures: hermit crabs, sea anemones and so much more.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
The hermit crab benefits from this partnership with the anemone by achieving a larger body size than its relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2025
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Max Chesnes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
One of Rocha’s favorite discoveries was a hermit crab that uses clam-like shells as its home.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The tide pools bring back fond childhood memories for me of exploring the rocks and discovering all the little sea creatures: hermit crabs, sea anemones and so much more.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
The hermit crab benefits from this partnership with the anemone by achieving a larger body size than its relatives.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hermit crab
Cite this Entry
“Hermit crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermit%20crab. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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