hermit crab

views updated May 17 2018

hermit crab Small, crab-like crustacean found in tidal pools and shallow water worldwide. It uses sea-snail shells to protect its soft abdomen, changing shells as it grows. Some are terrestrial and do not use shells as adults. Family Paguridae.

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hermit crab

views updated Jun 27 2018

her·mit crab • n. a crab with a soft asymmetrical abdomen that lives in a castoff mollusk shell for protection.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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hermit crab

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