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This diminutive but highly colourful crab is one of the few marine creatures endemic to Bermuda and is found nowhere else.

These tiny crabs measure only half an inch and are named for the zoologist Addison Emery Verrill, who first identified them in the early 20th century

Unlike true crabs which produce their own calciferous shell for protection against predators, hermit crabs have a soft body and are virtually defenceless. 

They solve this problem by taking up residence in various other structures, notably disused gastropod (snail) shells.  Their curved abdomen is designed to hook the inside of the shell, so the crab doesn’t become dislodged from it’s mobile fortress.

When threatened the entire body is retracted into the shell.  The best way divers can observe them is to approach slowly.  If the crab does retreat it will usually re-emerge after a few minutes.

As the crab grows it cannot moult and produce a new shell, so has to find new real estate.  Often when one shell is about to become vacant several crabs gather around and line up in order of descending size.  When the largest one sheds it’s shell the next in size moves in and this continues down the group.  This ingenious strategy allows them all to find a slightly bigger home, leaving the smallest shell vacant.