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Vocabulary Words

  • Species – a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
  • Marine Organism – plant or animals that lives in salt water.
  • Gills – Respiratory organ found in animals that live in water.
  • Vacancy Chain – Social structure that resources are distributed to.

Fun Facts

  • More than 1,110 species of hermit crabs world wide
  • Largest grow to the size of a coconut
  • There are hermit crabs that live in the water and some that live on land, but both breathe using gills, although they must stay moist.
  • Despite their name, they are not solitary and like to live in colonies.
  • Their eyes are on the top of two stalks on the top of their heads.
  • When they outgrow their shells, they line up in size order and the largest crab moves into the new largest shell.  The next crab in line moves into the newly vacated shell until all the crabs in line get a new shell!
  • Link to see this in action:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsIszzDRWI8

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