Home > Illustration > Wildlife > Invertebrates > Crustaceans > Maroon Hermit Crab

Maroon Hermit Crab

Maroon Hermit Crab line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Maroon Hermit Crab full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Maroon Hermit Crab was completed on 5.15.2011. I got it into my head that I wanted to illustrate the typical resident of the tide pools of the Pacific Coast. After this drawing, I'll probably add a Green Anemone and a Red Octopus. I had a lot fun rendering the shell especially, and even though I wasn't sure this crustacean would make for a good drawing,  think the result is pretty good. The drawing is based on a photo by Angie S.

Information about the Maroon Hermit Crab:

Hermit crabs are crustaceans and members of the Order Decapoda. Most hermit crabs have long, spiral bodies which are unlike other crustaceans, are soft. Hermit crabs are best known for the fact that they, by necessity, use the discarded shells of sea snails to protect their vulnerable abdomens. Although they will use other structures like the shells of other bivalves, scaphopods and even wood or rocks if the shape will suit their needs. There are terrestrial and marine hermit crabs. Most feed on whatever edible items they come across, from vegetable matter and carrion. The competition for shells is fierce, and in come cases crabs will fight each other for a desirable shell.