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In the wild, Andrew feeds on fish, sponges, small crustaceans, nematode worms and protozoans.
Benny's diet is very specialized, consisting mainly of the interior of Ramy nuts, nectar from the Traveller's Palm tree, some fungi and insect grubs. He is also known to raid coconut plantations, and has been seen eating lychees and mangoes, which are also plantation crops.
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Category: crab
Posted on: January 30, 2008 5:51 PM, by ableiman
A FEMA home for a New Orleans crab? "George Bush doesn't care about hermit crabs."
This photo is begging for a back story. We propose a competition: Who can write the best description of what you see here? We will give out awards for most creative, heartwarming and disturbing in a couple of days.
Thanks to Tyler Lang for sending along. As he put it, "it seems pretty self-explanatory."
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Comments
Very cool.
Anybody else remember a book titled Pagoo?
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | January 30, 2008 7:18 PM
Ralph hefted the small stone in his claw. It felt solid; real; tangible: quite unlike the meaningless platitudes Benny the Blenny had been feeding him moments before. What were they? "Look before you leap." Right. Like a crab could leap. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." An apple? Ralph had never heard of such a thing.
As he focused on the back of Benny's annoying, self-important skull and cocked back his claw, he searched his tiny ganglion for the last thing. What was it? Something about glass houses?
Whatever. Ralph unleashed the stone with all his strength and watched as it flew towards the unsuspecting fish.
Posted by: Evan | January 30, 2008 8:10 PM
"I'm so sick of this bull..." Jerome's thoughts sizzled in his mind as he drove his claw into his arm.
"ALL I WANT IS FOR YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE!" He yelled, inciting the silent passerbies to turn and stare. Then they all turned back and went on their way.
Why won't they acknowledge me? he thought, and dug deeper. They'll notice one day, when I've receded even further.
All I want is for them to notice me. All I want is to not be alone.
And he receded into his shell. He curled up in his shell that he chose solely for its transparency.
__________________________________________
[AN: Goths are annoying, but they make for interesting psychological analysis.]
Posted by: Kristin | January 30, 2008 8:43 PM
Is it related to the artist who is making these?
http://www.elizabethdemaray.com/pages/crab.html
Posted by: synapse | January 30, 2008 8:49 PM
thats awesome, I posted on a similar housing project for hermit crabs last year here: Invert PSA: Help the Homeless (Hermit Crabs That Is)
Posted by: kevin z | January 30, 2008 9:12 PM
maybe this link will work instead?
Posted by: kevin z | January 30, 2008 9:14 PM
The Hermit Crab in The Glass Shell was transmitting its long-overdue report: "We found Jesus. We probed him. All UFOs now returning to the mother ship"
Posted by: milkshake | January 30, 2008 9:38 PM
Considered one of the most laborious of exotic cuisines, these soft-shelled Hermit Crabs are grown in these glass shells which they are also served. The patron is presented with the glass shell upside-down, a selection of sliced fresh vegetables, and steaming hot broth. The Patron pours the broth on themselves and construct their own soft-boiled hermit crab soup.
Posted by: Casey Smith | January 31, 2008 12:39 AM
"trapped in my glasshouse
crowd has been gathering since dawn
make a pot of coffee
while catastrophe awaits me out on the lawn
think i'm going to stay in today
pretend like i don't know what's going on" - Ani Difranco "Glass House"
Posted by: nurblvr | January 31, 2008 12:43 AM
Oh, my God, they found me, I don't know how, but they found me. Run for it Marty!
Posted by: Drekab | January 31, 2008 2:17 AM
How's this for an explanation:
"Scientists discover first known attempt at hermit crab lingerie."
What?
Posted by: Cat of many faces | January 31, 2008 4:03 AM
"Well, Bob, it's the first time we've had a claustrophobic Paguroid in for consultation, but I think we've come up with something that will sort you right out..."
Posted by: Will | January 31, 2008 8:06 AM
My God!
First it was doggie sweaters, then doggie playdates, then designer doggie clothing, then HEADPHONES for your doggie, then wigs for your cats, then lolcat-builder for your cats, then dressing your pet rats, then disapproving rabbits.
This 'keeping up with the Jones' pet' thing has GOT to STOP!
Posted by: Jenbug | January 31, 2008 9:15 AM
David Blaine's side act.
Posted by: Tyler | January 31, 2008 3:50 PM
Cover picture for the new epic novel "Glass House", which combines the works of "A Doll's House", "The Glass Menagerie", and "Moby Dick". It is the break wrenching story of a crab caught in the tides of fate, seeking the far shores and his destiny.
Posted by: Zelly | January 31, 2008 5:14 PM
Does this shell make me look fat?
Posted by: Pat King | January 31, 2008 6:01 PM
#1: Nudism: ur doin it rong.
#2: Headline: 'CLOVERFIELD' MONSTER'S CHILDHOOD LACKED PRIVACY, PHYSICAL AFFECTION, SAY FEDS
Posted by: mr_subjunctive | January 31, 2008 7:13 PM
sorry changing the topic - but have you seen this?:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13259-rabbitsized-shrew-discovered-.html
It is pretty big (a feet long), colorfull and absurdly snouty. It likes to jump around on the spindly legs. And it was co-discovered by a zooligistt named Rathbun
Posted by: milkshake | February 1, 2008 12:47 PM
I don't know what he is doing in there but someone should remind him that crabs that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones! LOL!
Dave Briggs :~)
Posted by: Dave Briggs | February 1, 2008 5:09 PM
There was once a hermit crab named Benny who had a habit of stealing things and then putting them in hidden places. One day, he found this beautiful glass shell. Since it was so lovely, he decided that he would wear it insted of hiding it. Everybody admired his wonderful glass shell. A few weeks later he and a few friends were in King Neptune's throne room when nobody was around. Benny, true to his habits, decided to take Neptune's throne and hide it in Dave Jone's Locker. His friends helped him but the throne was very heavy. Eventually, they got to Davey Jone's locker and were about to hide the throne. But the throne got away from Benny and his friends. It fell right on Benny and broke his beautiful glass shell. Benny didn't have time to be sad because he heard King Neptune coming and he sounded mad. When King neptume found Benny and saw his broken shell, he roared, "Benny, hermits that live in glass houses shouldn't stow thrones."
Posted by: freds | February 4, 2008 8:13 PM
In the Southeastern Pacific, a few small, hilly islands are the exclusive breeding grounds for the rare Bellus Glassus, commonly known as the "Glass snail." This ornate snail creates a shell made entirely of sand, held together by an adhesive substance it secretes from its porous skin. Once a year during early Spring, when local storms are their fiercest, the Glass snails leave the waters surrounding these islands, their homes throughout the rest of the year, and come out onto the beaches to breed. After laying their eggs in the moist shores, the snails continue their land-bound journey until they reach the summit of the hilly islands. There they wait. Much like lemmings, these creatures have an inexplicable propensity towards death; the snails wait until lightning strikes the peak and, consequently, have their sandy shells turn into glass. The hermit crabs native to these islands scavenge these glass shells. Above is a picture of one such fortunate hermit crab.
Posted by: Teisha | February 4, 2008 8:49 PM
Goddamnit - even female hermit crabs have to deal with a glass ceiling...
Posted by: Erikat | February 8, 2008 7:31 PM
I know I'm late, I just fell over this, but can't resist:
"Someday my prince will come"
Posted by: Judith in Ottawa | March 4, 2008 11:49 AM
IM IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Garrett | July 8, 2008 3:14 AM
As Susie the Seagull is chasing Henry the Hermit Crab, all Henry could do was hide. "Ha Ha," Susie screeches, "you can't hide!" "Oh, Drat," Henry thinks, "I forgot what Grandma Helen gave me for Hermukkah last year. A glass shell. I should have traded it in for some hermit crab nibble."
Posted by: Rachel | August 19, 2008 3:10 PM
omg that is wild
Posted by: danielle | October 8, 2008 12:17 PM
weirdest thing i;v ever seen!!!!!!!
Posted by: kate | November 7, 2008 10:53 PM
I was woundering were you can get this glass see through shell and how much it would be.
Posted by: Braden | December 6, 2008 10:12 AM
I to am in ownder of where to get this glass shell as my children would love to be able to see there hermmies bodies all the time and think it is cool. However, i do have to say that you people are amazingly funny...Good times..
Posted by: Catina | December 17, 2008 2:12 AM
It should be plain for all to sea
The hermit in transparency
His home still carried on his back
but now great "in" sight
We do not lack
Posted by: George Meredith | January 5, 2009 8:13 AM
That's neat, but I'm not sure how much our friend the hermit crab likes it.
Posted by: ILOVEMYFUZZIES | January 5, 2009 11:03 PM
Yikes, I'd better beat this compulsion to throw stones!
Posted by: Jackelyn Frost | January 11, 2009 2:52 PM
um....... where do you get thoose COOL!!!!! shells
there like sooooooooooo cool
Posted by: ann | January 14, 2009 9:01 PM
I was wondering if there is a way that you can pay for these shells or is this the only one you have do you know anything I sell crabs so I would like to know if I could buy some. Thanks!
Posted by: Katie | February 13, 2009 3:20 PM
very good sites
Posted by: chat | February 13, 2009 4:40 PM
thanks. by Brooklyn
Posted by: cet | March 26, 2009 9:12 AM
Just like his father before him, he hated the confines of a life unexamined. He prefered being exposed to everything life had to offer. He didn't realize however, that there are just somethings his bretheren were not meant to see. As for the rest of us....We may never see offspring from his Hermit Crab linage again!
~cheers
Posted by: chris salamida | March 28, 2009 8:25 AM
I do not throw stones...i think every one can learn a lesson from me
Posted by: Ang | April 3, 2009 5:32 PM
where do you find glass shells.
Posted by: Dillon | April 3, 2009 7:14 PM
Then wigs for your cats, then lolcat-builder for your cats, then dressing your pet rats, then disapproving rabbits.
Posted by: neon | April 27, 2009 4:04 PM
glass shells should be sold in stores,that would be awesome.lol 1 of my native land hermit crabs opened the cage and escaped,i havent seen it since.my other one just about came out of its shell on my hand when i got it wet and it wasnt even molting,for a second i thought the hot water might of burnt it ,im scared , but its still up and around, i need a vet,FAST,plez.
Posted by: dana | May 5, 2009 4:39 PM
glass shells should be sold in stores,that would be awesome.lol 1 of my native land hermit crabs opened the cage and escaped,i havent seen it since.my other one just about came out of its shell on my hand when i got it wet and it wasnt even molting,for a second i thought the hot water might of burnt it ,im scared , but its still up and around, i need a vet,FAST,plez.
Posted by: dana | May 5, 2009 4:39 PM
dana again,if u put a water sponge in my hermit crab,nemo,he'll spin the sponge around by him self in his claws......i had to go get him he started to run away,LOL.
Posted by: dana | May 5, 2009 4:45 PM
...oh f**k, no more throwing stones I guess.
Posted by: kelly | May 25, 2009 12:16 AM
The tide rises, sun is setting. Temperature is dropping well boys it looks like another night of dragging our heavy asses on the sand smelling and sniffing around for food. The little ones always get it hard getting run over by the big dogs.
Suddenly a pelican flies over and you hear a crack in the rocks. Sebastian stars pushing the sand in front of him as fast as he can to go out and get a clear view from the little holes on the rocks. It was Bubba... he was lying there flat on the rocks, his eyes were.. well the same, his big claw torn his white soggy ass was out of his shell... Wait a minute... Bubba! where the hell is your shell?
Bubba makes a last effort and asks Sebastian to come...
What is it Bubba? - In a whispering forced voice Bubba says, remember when i used to tell you I would make it to the new world... Well I did... Turns out i ran into a glass blower... The bitch thought it was a innovative move to make me a glass shell.. He said, there you go little hermit no more having to wait on instinct till your close predators leave. Now you can sit comfortably in your shell and just watch them all run past you. I nodded and accepted the new shell. He had trained a pelican to fly around the world so after being promised his share of the days catch, the pelican agreed to fly me over until i found my home. It wasn't so hard to find it after all the smell is the same the radioactive fabric next to our house is easy to track. Just one problem, the bitch didn't tell me it wasnt shock proof. So I jumped out of the pelicans beak instead of gripping his sack like i was supposed to. I though this bitch came with a parachute. After all, those dudes that fall from the sky with a pretty shell all the time have glasses on their shell... I thought .... and Bubba died...
Posted by: Sebastian the Hermit Crab | May 26, 2009 11:28 PM
yes Thank you for sharing ideas on a different number
Posted by: dans | June 17, 2009 8:55 AM
where did u find that shell i have been looking for one i have several herit crabs i think thats so cool
Posted by: elizabeth | June 30, 2009 11:32 PM