I was just looking for some sea shells but unexpectedly found something more extraordinary! =)

island-girl (50)in #nature • 7 years ago (edited)

It was such a lovely morning when I was walking by the sea shore of Sugar beach Bantayan Island, enjoying the fresh air and the warm summer sun while also looking for some nice sea shells that I could bring home. I saw a lovely shell that really caught my eye and said to myself "Wow! this is awesome, I'm taking you home sweety", then I happily picked it up and headed on to find some more! I was just holding the lovely shell for a while in my hand when I suddenly felt it's moving, then when I turned it over, I found out there's a hermit crab in it! I'm super happy to capture this moment on cam =)

I have a compassionate heart to all living things, so I left the lovely hermit crab back to the sand after taking this video.

I have read about Hermit crabs and it's fascinating to know how they exchange their shells in such a graceful orderly fashion. This process is called Vacancy chain. When an empty shell is available, especially a bigger one, the hermit crab who finds it, examines the shell and when it doesn't fit or the shell could be too big that crab waits until another bigger crab will come and so on until they form a line up of hermit crabs from big ones to small ones. The chain will not be complete until the most awaited biggest crab arrives. The biggest crab will examine the shell and when it's perfectly fit, that crab claims it leaving its old shell behind. Then the other crabs in line follow moving into the next empty shell in front until everyone has exchanged their shells. A crab left without a shell is very risky, let alone can be killed by predators or the scorching tropical sun could dry up their soft abdomen. You can also see a video that best illustrates this amazing process.

"For a Hermit crab to have a safe home is their main goal in life."

So I had to return some of the shells I have collected that can be potential homes for the Hermit crabs.

I think it's better to collect these kind of shells instead. 😊

This shell looks quite more expensive. I borrowed this one from a pearl vendor I came across by the seashore selling pearl accessories like earings, necklace and bracelets.

I was told the pearls are real. But I'm not fond of such accessories so I didn't buy. I already bought some woven shells from the local kids for a very cheap price 10-15 PHP only and I'm already happy with it. =)