Crustaceans 83 



shells in its immediate vicinity, and 

 consequently the largest forms are found 

 in the tropics. All are crabs of great 

 energy and enterprise and are, when not 

 occupied in house-hunting, engaged in 

 foraging, feeding and open conflict. 

 Every time the animal moults he in- 

 creases in size and is then forced to 

 search for a new home. Large numbers 

 of possible residences are examined be- 

 fore the hermit settles down in what in 

 his view constitutes the ideal home. If 

 a suitable empty shell is not available he 

 may attempt to eject the sitting tenant, 

 with the result that a fight to death 

 ensues, the victor being rewarded with a 

 meal as well as a home. 



These crabs are expert climbers, 

 scaling steep rock faces with ease. On 

 Cocos Island giant hermit crabs, ham- 

 pered with shells weighing a pound or 

 more, make nightly inland journeys for 

 the purpose of raiding birds' nests twenty 



