California hermit crabs like these Pagurus samuelis at Aquarius Aquarium Institute are resourceful recyclers of the tidepool.
Instead of making their own shells, they rely on empty snail shells or formerly lived-in shells for protection. As they grow, they must search for a better fit—often inspecting, testing, and sizing up the shells of their neighbors before moving in.
This shell-swapping behavior highlights how interconnected tidepool life is. One animal’s discarded shell becomes another’s survival tool.
Moments like this are why hands-on tidepool education matters – it shows how small details reveal big ecological stories.
