Pagurus granosimanus

The Granular Hermit Crab

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Subclass Eumalacostraca
Order Decapoda
Infraorder Anomura
Family Paguridae
Genus Pagurus
Species granosimanus

Description: Dark or olive green color with blue or white granules that are especially found on the surface of the claws; antennae are orange without bands or white spots; hairless.

Habitat: Commonly found under rocks on protected beaches or on shallow sandy bottoms.

Natural History: The smallest hermit crab found in our area. It prefers large shells that it can withdraw completely into which often seem too heavy for it to carry around.