Blueband Hermit Crab

Thermal resistance increases for hermit crabs depending on their natural habitat, for example, if an animal is more accustomed to extreme differences in tides, then it will be more tollerant of thermal changes. Pagurus samuelis domonstrated no variance in thermal tollerance based on size.

As the hermit crab grows it begins to look for replacement shells, the selection of its new shell is crucial to its survival and reproduction. If it cannot locate a new shell in a timely manner, the hermit crab risks a decrease in protection from preditors and dessication.

Hermit crab populations are limited by the amount of gastropod shells available in their immediate habitat.

In a study done to test whether these hermit crabs preffered their original shell or a different abandoned shell, scientists found that P. samuelis have the ability to locate their shell based in chemical cues. In this expiriment scientiss boiled the irginal shells and the hermit crab showed no prefference for any shell; but when placed in water with the original, unboiled, shell and the different, unboiled, shell, the hermit crab went for its original shell. The scientists thus concluded that these hermit crabs are able to sense which shell is theirs.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: The blue dactyls on the 2nd and 3rd legs, and the red unbanded antennae are distinctive. Of similar species, P. granosimanus has olive-green legs with small blue dots. P. beringanus is mostly subtidal and has a red band at the articulation of the propodus and dactyl.

Rocky intertidal on the outer coast. Not often found in inland seas.

Geographical Range: Alaska to Punta Eugenia, Baja California.

Depth Range: High intertidal to subtidal

This intertidal hermit crab has a carpus of the right cheliped longer than wide, the dactyls of the 2nd and 3rd legs are straight and have a bright blue band, the dorsal surface of the left chela has no prominent ridge or crest near the midline, the ventral surface of the merus of the right cheliped has 2 prominent tubercles, and the ventrolateral surface of the propodus and dactyl of leg 3 has 1 or more irregular rows of small spines or tubercles, the chelae have tubercles or granules, the dorsal surface of the carpus of the left cheliped has 2 rows of short spines, rostrum is acute. The carapace and legs are hairy with setae. The antennae are a strong reddish color with no banding. The dactyls of juveniles are banded white instead of blue. The tip of the dactyl on the left chela may be red. Carapace length to 19 mm, total length to about 4 cm.

Biology/Natural History: One of the most common intertidal hermit crabs on the outer coast, especially in southern and central California. Reproduces in June and July in northern waters. This species seems to have a strong preference for Tegula funebralis shells, which they will steal from one another. Do not seem to kill the Tegula to get their shells. Active especially in the evening and at night. Adults eat algae, especially large brown algae and scavenge dead animals. Predators include the pile perch, sheephead, and spotted kelpfish. During courtship, male grasps female's shell and may carry her around for a day or longer, occasionally knocking his shell repeatedly against hers. Mating is brief.

Pagurus samuelis, the blueband hermit crab, is a species of hermit crab from the west coast of North America, and the most common hermit crab in California. It is a small species, with distinctive blue bands on its legs. It prefers to live in the shell of the black turban snail, and is a nocturnal scavenger of algae and carrion.