Verrill's Hermit Crab

Calcinus verrillii

Verrill's Hermit Crab is a unique species found exclusively in Bermuda. It is characterized by a robust, calcified carapace with purple and orange spots, and slender eyestalks. The front three pairs of its walking legs are smooth and hairless, distinguishing it from other hermit crabs. Its soft abdomen is coiled to fit into the shells of gastropod molluscs, which it uses for protection. This species is mostly found in the subtidal zones of Bermuda, thriving on reefs and rocks with strong water movement, and can be found at depths up to 110 meters. This hermit crab primarily inhabits empty shells of gastropod molluscs like Cerithium litteratum. However, when these shells are scarce, it may occupy the calcified tubes of vermetid gastropods such as Spiroglyphus irregularis, or the tubes of turritellids like Vermicularia knorrii. These tubes, often attached to rocks, restrict the crab's movement, turning it into a filter feeder. This adaptation allows it to benefit from the food carried by currents, reducing the risk of being swept away by strong water movements. Divers encountering Verrill's Hermit Crab may observe its unique behavior of residing in fixed tubes, a strategy that provides stability in turbulent waters. Female crabs tend to grow larger than males and are more likely to be found in tube shells. The conservation status of this species has not been evaluated, and it is considered uncommon in intertidal areas but abundant in its preferred habitats.