Pink hermit

Introduction: The pink hermit (Paguristes gamianus) is the only hermit crab found in any Namibian waters, which lives in the southern Namib Desert coastal region along the Sperrgebeit. To survive they colonize empty gastropod shells which protects their soft-skinned abdomens, a rather strange habit from which they take their common name. The pink hermit are scavengers often filtering food particles from the water using their antennae. As they grow in size, the search for larger shells continues. Hermit crabs will fight each other for the best possible home.  They have pink bodies, spiny and hairy limbs with both nippers the same size. They are up to 20mm in size found in clusters under boulders in low tide-pools. Food particles are filtered from the water using their antennae.

Distribution: the southern Namib Desert coastal region along the Sperrgebeit

Max size: 20mm