Hermit Crab Anatomy and an Addition to Mikro's Menagerie

Mikro and I got an unexpected glimpse of hermit crab anatomy this week when our larger hermit crab, Coney (aka Coney Island Mermaid Parade Mercrab), molted. He did not engage in the digging behavior we expected to cue us in to an imminent molt, though he did hide out in his half coconut shell "hermie hut" for several days before the big day. Surprisingly, to us anyway, he chose to molt out in the open. He did not re-home himself to a larger shell; he just got rid of his too small exoskeleton and moved back in to the same old shell.







You can only tell so much about hermit crab anatomy from the molted exoskeleton. For example, there is a large, unprotected abdomen that isn't represented since the exoskeleton doesn't cover it.

For a much more comprehensive look at the anatomy of these fascinating creatures, please visit The Hermit Crab Patch.

Coney is back to hiding in his hut while his new exoskeleton hardens. Our littler crab, Curiosity's Manic on Monday Mars Rover, aka Curiosity) is taking full advantage and is much more active in exploring their shared habitat now that the big guy is otherwise occupied. We got Curiosity about 2 weeks ago, because hermit crabs are social and enjoy company.

More New Family Members

Because I am a complete sucker for a certain little boy's love of animals, which is as huge as my own, and because creepy, crawly and odd has grown on me since becoming the mom of a little boy, I have some more introductions to make:

First, there are Raez and Kulmi, two garden snails we abducted from a stucco wall at a train station:



And then we have Coney (whose full name is Coney Island Mermaid Parade Mercrab... we have a contest going here to see who can hang the longest and silliest name on a pet...), who is a hermit crab:









And last, but not least, we have David, a Goliath Hornworm (Mikro named him), who was originally intended to be a snack for Amicus, but grew on the boy (and me) until the thought of him being crunched up was too much to bear, and he got his own little plastic condo at Coyne's Crazy Critter Camp...



And here is Mikro sweet talking Amicus while she bathes--- rest assured, he is not telling her about David...



Trust me, she won't wither away to nothing for missing a treat. She is a big lizard! And Mikro has no great remorse about keeping her alive and growing on a menu of crickets and greens and fruits and veggies...