hermit crab

noun

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Definition of hermit crab

: 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

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Recent Examples of hermit crab from the Web

Officers found 41 deceased animals, including rabbits, snakes, hermit crabs, tarantulas, hamsters, mice and fish.

— kaitlyn schwers, kansascity, "Pet store was closed for maintenance. 41 animals were dead inside, Illinois cops say," 30 May 2018
Crabs and other critters It’s easy to spot hermit crabs, which inhabit other animal shells and live in the tidal pools.

— susan moeller, BostonGlobe.com, "A beachcombing guide: Things to find at the beach," 2 May 2018
But ‘Escape to Margaritaville’ is about as much fun as buying a dud hermit crab as a pet.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Broadway debut of La Jolla Playhouse's Jimmy Buffett musical 'Margaritaville' leaves a sour taste with critics," 16 Mar. 2018
Built into a teak replica of a fishing skiff in the center of the exhibits area, the pool encourages visitors to get their hands wet to engage with Cownose and Atlantic stingrays, along with horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs and sea anemones.

— joe burbank, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Volusia’s Marine Science Center a hidden treasure at Ponce Inlet," 13 Oct. 2017
The team also found similar structures in close relatives of these sea creatures: cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp, and hermit crabs.

— giorgia guglielmi, Science | AAAS, "Mantis shrimp brain contains memory and learning centers found only in insects," 6 Oct. 2017
Wide beaches are crisscrossed by hermit crabs in extravagant shells, and vibrant coral reefs are visible through pristine waters.

— aurora almendral, New York Times, "For Isolated Philippine Town, a Planned Road Is a Lifeline and a Worry," 24 Sep. 2017
Kohei Okamoto and his research team hypothesized that the cuttlefish may be emulating hermit crabs in order to inconspicuously approach their prey or protect themselves against predators.

— hannah lang, National Geographic, "Cuttlefish Pretend to be Crabs to Catch More Fish," 8 June 2017
More shots of Marshawn Pinch, the Seahawks' helmet-inhabiting hermit crab at the Seattle Aquarium. 19.

— sarah spain, Marie Claire, "25 Reasons To Be Super Excited for the Super Bowl," 31 Jan. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hermit crab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hermit crab

1735

in the meaning defined above

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HERMIT CRAB Defined for English Language Learners

hermit crab

noun

Definition of hermit crab for English Language Learners

: a type of crab that lives in the empty shell of another animal (such as a snail)

HERMIT CRAB Defined for Kids

hermit crab

noun

Definition of hermit crab for Students

: a small crab that lives in the empty shells of mollusks (as snails)

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hermit crab

Definition of hermit crab

Recent Examples of hermit crab from the Web

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HERMIT CRAB Defined for English Language Learners

hermit crab

Definition of hermit crab for English Language Learners

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hermit crab

Definition of hermit crab for Students

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