Physical Description

The Furry Hermit Crab, Paguristes ulreyi, is a medium-large hermit crab with orange to brown legs and claws covered with golden hairs. It has long and slender eye stalks and short, stout antennae with a fringe of long hairs used for suspension feeding.

Habitat and Geographical Range

Moderately common along the eastern Pacific coast, Furry Hermit Crabs can be found in Monterey kelp forests, on rocks, and sandy areas near the bases of rocky outcrops. They inhabit shallow coastal waters with suitable hiding spots and food sources.

What They Eat and How They Breed

Furry Hermit Crabs are suspension feeders, utilizing their fringe of long hairs on their antennae to capture food particles from the water. They also scavenge for organic matter. They reproduce sexually, with females carrying fertilized eggs until hatching into planktonic larvae.