We took a long walk on Higbee Beach; saw lots of birds and this lady. We usually find them washed up after they've died, but this one was actually alive and was doing all she could to stay on the beach. I'm not really sure why. It didn't look like she was laying eggs. How do I know it was a she? Size. The males are much larger. She didn't seem to mind the camera either!
A quick look at this and I initially thought 'turtle' as Vickey had called to tell me they had one sitting in their driveway (occasioning a mad dash over there after dinner). Is the shell the crab or is she hiding under it? I spend so little time at ocean beaches that I'm pretty ignorant of what these things look like.
@shawnasays Thanks Shawna! @taffy Thanks Taffy! Her eyes are just below what looks like arched eyebrows. The shell covers her entire body. You can see her tail just behind her (sort of looks like a stick in the sand). Her breathing holes (nostrils) are those shiny black bumps in the front. Her legs are underneath the shell. So the short of it is, yes, the shell is the crab. @digitalrn Thank you Rick! Possibly but there didn't seem to be any evidence pointing in the direction. @eudora Thank you Diane! @salza Thank you Sally! Yes, they do beach themselves when they get sick- but she didn't seem to be "sick"- if you can tell what a sick hermit crab looks like! @maggiemae Thanks Maggie! She's shiny from the waves washing over her. @dibzgreasley Thank you Debs! @bkbinthecity Thanks Brian! @mrssmith203 Thank you Carla!
What a great catch, Ann! I have never seen a hermit crab! I don't live by any beaches, so I have no chance of catching sight of one either. Great that she didn't mind you taking pictures. Perhaps that's why she wanted to stay on the beach! Especially for you! :) Well done :)
@prttblues Thanks Bev! I'm not sure if they wash up on the beaches in Maine- which might be the closest beach to you. Certainly not a short drive! @cimes1 Thanks Carole!
@taffy Thanks Taffy! Her eyes are just below what looks like arched eyebrows. The shell covers her entire body. You can see her tail just behind her (sort of looks like a stick in the sand). Her breathing holes (nostrils) are those shiny black bumps in the front. Her legs are underneath the shell. So the short of it is, yes, the shell is the crab.
@digitalrn Thank you Rick! Possibly but there didn't seem to be any evidence pointing in the direction.
@eudora Thank you Diane!
@salza Thank you Sally! Yes, they do beach themselves when they get sick- but she didn't seem to be "sick"- if you can tell what a sick hermit crab looks like!
@maggiemae Thanks Maggie! She's shiny from the waves washing over her.
@dibzgreasley Thank you Debs!
@bkbinthecity Thanks Brian!
@mrssmith203 Thank you Carla!
@cimes1 Thanks Carole!