Mad as a Marine Biologist

How to move house like a boss hermit crab

I have never had an arthropod make me giggle so much! Also, having never seen the process before, I’m fascinated by the unexpected grace of the hermit crab. 

Hermit Crabs [superfamily Paguroidea] aren’t “true” crabs [infraorder Brachyura]. They lack a complete exoskeleton, their abdomen is squidgy [hence the need for a shell], and are more closely related to squat lobsters and porcelain crabs. 

High-res Golden tortoise beetle [Charidotella sexpunctata] by Chime Tsetan They can change color, looking initially like tiny jewels, or golden ladybugs, but can alter the reflectivity of the cuticle so the outer layers become clear, revealing a ladybug type of red coloring with black spots. This color change is accomplished by microscopic valves controlling the moisture levels under the shell. 

Golden tortoise beetle [Charidotella sexpunctata] by Chime Tsetan

They can change color, looking initially like tiny jewels, or golden ladybugs, but can alter the reflectivity of the cuticle so the outer layers become clear, revealing a ladybug type of red coloring with black spots. This color change is accomplished by microscopic valves controlling the moisture levels under the shell.