Why do hermit crabs and snail shells live together?
The Relationship between Hermit Crabs and Snail Shells
Hermit crabs and snail shells often live together because hermit crabs do not have a hard external shell like other crabs. Instead, they protect their soft bodies by using empty snail shells as a portable home. The hermit crab finds a shell that is the right size and shape for its body and moves in, carrying the shell on its back wherever it goes. This behavior is a form of mutualism, a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from living together.
Hermit crabs and snail shells live together because hermit crabs use empty snail shells as their homes.
Why do hermit crabs use snail shells as their homes? Hermit crabs use snail shells as their homes because they do not have a hard external shell to protect their soft bodies. By using empty snail shells, hermit crabs can carry their homes with them wherever they go, ensuring their safety and survival.