Hermit Crab's New Shell

Description:

Crack! Smack! Whack! On a sandy beach, two hermit crabs are fighting over a large, empty snail shell. Why? Both crabs have outgrown their shells and their "homes" are starting to feel rather tight.

In this book, readers will be astounded to learn that a hermit crab's shell is not actually attached to its body. Instead, these crabs have a hard exoskeleton on their front halves, but must find secondhand shells to cover their soft, unprotected abdomens. Learn all about the bodies of these fascinating crustaceans.

• Watch as a crab explores its seashore habitat looking for a new, bigger home.
• Discover what happens on "moving day" as a crab discards its old shell and moves into its latest find.
• And be amazed to see a group of differently sized hermit crabs form a line to swap shells--each moving into the shell of its bigger neighbor!

Readers will enjoy learning about the unusual behavior of these animals, and will love the close-up photos that show hermit crabs in search of their next home.

Brief description: Ruth Owen has written more than one thousand children's books. She writes on many subjects, but science and nature are her favorite topics to research and make accessible for young readers.

Review Quotes:

"Full of fun facts, scientific terms, and crisp wildlife photography, this offering covers many aspects of hermit crab life, including life cycle, anatomy, and different methods of procuring shells."--Booklist