Shell-breaking hermit crab
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Shell-breaking hermit crab
Shell-breaking hermit crab (Dardanus megistos) feeding with a large burrowing sea cucumber (Neothyonidium magnum) in the background. This hermit crab is also known as the scarlet hermit crab. It has no hard shell of its own and so uses the shells of dead molluscs for protection. This hermit crab is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It feeds on molluscs, jellyfish and octopus and can grow up to 15 centimetres in length. Photographed in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6469517
© GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Crab Crustacean Eating Feed Feeding Hermit Crab Indonesia Lembeh Strait Marine Life North Sulawesi Ocean Floor Oceania Scavenger Scavenging Sea Bed Sea Cucumber Shell Southeast Asia Dardanus Megistos Red Hermit Crab
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the mesmerizing sight of a shell-breaking hermit crab in action. Known as Dardanus megistos or the scarlet hermit crab, this fascinating creature relies on discarded mollusc shells for protection since it lacks its own hard shell. The vibrant red coloration of this particular hermit crab adds to its allure and makes it stand out against the backdrop of the ocean floor. In this image, we see the hermit crab engrossed in feeding on a large burrowing sea cucumber, Neothyonidium magnum, which looms gracefully in the background. This scene showcases not only the intricate relationship between these two marine organisms but also highlights their unique adaptations for survival. Found exclusively in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, this species can grow up to 15 centimeters long. Its diet consists of molluscs, jellyfish, and even octopus—an impressive menu for such a small creature! The photograph was taken in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia—a paradise renowned for its rich biodiversity. As we delve into nature's wonders through this image captured by Science Photo Library, we are reminded of how diverse and interconnected our world truly is. From scavenging crustaceans to delicate sea cucumbers—each playing their part within an intricate ecosystem beneath our oceans' surface—this photograph serves as a reminder of both beauty and complexity found within marine life.
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