30 Hermit Crab Trivia Quiz Questions & Answers

Hermit Crab, a small crustacean that has developed a unique survival strategy in the world of the oceans. Hermit crabs belong to the family Paguridae, and they can be found in various coastal areas and tropical seas around the world.

What makes hermit crabs truly intriguing is their habit of using empty seashells as mobile homes. Unlike other crabs, their soft abdomen is not protected by a hard shell. To compensate for this vulnerability, hermit crabs seek out discarded shells from other marine creatures, such as snails, and use them as a protective shelter.

The Hermit Crab’s creative use of seashells and their remarkable adaptability to their surroundings serve as a reminder of the ingenuity and diversity of life found in the marine world. Observing these curious creatures in their natural habitat offers a glimpse into the intricate workings of coastal ecosystems and the marvels of the underwater realm.

• Part 1: 30 hermit crab trivia questions & answers
• Part 2: Download hermit crab questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz making platform – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 interesting hermit crab trivia questions and answers

1. What is the scientific name for hermit crabs?
a) Paguroidea
b) Decapoda
c) Crustacea
d) Arthropoda
Answer: a) Paguroidea

2. Hermit crabs are not true crabs but belong to which group of crustaceans?
a) Lobsters
b) Shrimps
c) Crabs
d) Anomurans
Answer: d) Anomurans

3. Hermit crabs protect their soft abdomen by using what as a protective covering?
a) Seaweed
b) Sand
c) Empty shells
d) Rocks
Answer: c) Empty shells

4. How do hermit crabs breathe?
a) Through gills
b) Through lungs
c) Through spiracles
d) Through skin
Answer: a) Through gills

5. What is the purpose of the larger claw in hermit crabs?
a) Hunting prey
b) Communication with other crabs
c) Defense and closing the shell opening
d) Attracting mates
Answer: c) Defense and closing the shell opening

6. Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of hermit crabs?
a) They are social animals
b) They can regenerate lost limbs
c) They have a hard exoskeleton
d) They are nocturnal
Answer: c) They have a hard exoskeleton

7. Hermit crabs have a soft abdomen that needs protection. What do they do when they outgrow their current shell?
a) They molt and grow a new exoskeleton
b) They camouflage their abdomen with seaweed
c) They seek shelter in burrows until their exoskeleton hardens
d) They form a protective circle with other crabs
Answer: a) They molt and grow a new exoskeleton

8. How do hermit crabs find new shells when they outgrow their current ones?
a) They search for abandoned shells on the ocean floor
b) They fight with other crabs for larger shells
c) They mate with other crabs and exchange shells
d) They carry their own shells-building materials to construct new ones
Answer: a) They search for abandoned shells on the ocean floor

9. Which of the following is not a suitable pet for a hermit crab?
a) Glass bowl with sand
b) Wire cage with wood chips
c) Aquarium with saltwater and rocks
d) Plastic container with shells and moist substrate
Answer: b) Wire cage with wood chips

10. How do hermit crabs communicate with each other?
a) By making vocal sounds
b) By waving their claws
c) By releasing pheromones
d) By performing elaborate dances
Answer: c) By releasing pheromones

11. What is the primary diet of hermit crabs in the wild?
a) Algae and plankton
b) Small fish and shrimp
c) Coral and sea anemones
d) Decaying organic matter and detritus
Answer: d) Decaying organic matter and detritus

12. How do hermit crabs protect themselves from predators?
a) By releasing ink to create a smokescreen
b) By using their large claws to fight off predators
c) By carrying toxic shells for protection
d) By retreating into their shell and closing the opening
Answer: d) By retreating into their shell and closing the opening

13. Hermit crabs are opportunistic scavengers. What does this mean?
a) They are aggressive hunters
b) They only eat algae and plankton
c) They eat only live prey
d) They eat a wide range of food, including decaying matter
Answer: d) They eat a wide range of food, including decaying matter

14. What is the primary purpose of the hermit crab’s small front legs?
a) For grasping food and prey
b) For digging burrows
c) For swimming in water
d) For carrying shells
Answer: a) For grasping food and prey

15. Which of the following is true regarding hermit crab molting?
a) Hermit crabs molt their shells, not their exoskeletons
b) Molting is a process of finding new shells
c) Molting is a behavior related to courtship
d) Molting is a process of shedding their old exoskeleton and growing a new one
Answer: d) Molting is a process of shedding their old exoskeleton and growing a new one

Part 2: Download hermit crab questions & answers for free

16. How do hermit crabs reproduce?
a) By laying eggs on the ocean floor
b) By giving live birth to tiny crabs
c) By producing larvae that develop in the water
d) By mating and exchanging shells as a ritual
Answer: c) By producing larvae that develop in the water

17. Which of the following is a natural behavior of hermit crabs to regulate their body temperature and humidity?
a) Basking in the sun
b) Burrowing underground
c) Dancing in the moonlight
d) Carrying water in their shells
Answer: d) Carrying water in their shells

18. Which of the following is not a common hermit crab species found in pet stores?
a) Ecuadorian hermit crab
b) Caribbean hermit crab
c) Red hermit crab
d) Purple pincher hermit crab
Answer: c) Red hermit crab

19. How many pairs of legs do hermit crabs have?
a) 4 pairs
b) 6 pairs
c) 8 pairs
d) 10 pairs
Answer: b) 6 pairs

20. Which of the following is a behavioral adaptation of hermit crabs to reduce the risk of predation?
a) Swimming in open waters
b) Living in social colonies
c) Carrying poisonous shells
d) Changing shells to avoid being detected by predators
Answer: d) Changing shells to avoid being detected by predators

21. How do hermit crabs detect the size and suitability of new shells they encounter?
a) They use their sense of taste
b) They use their sense of touch
c) They use their sense of smell
d) They use their sense of sight
Answer: b) They use their sense of touch

22. In the wild, hermit crabs are often found near which marine habitat?
a) Coral reefs
b) Deep-sea trenches
c) Arctic ice shelves
d) Sandy beaches
Answer: d) Sandy beaches

23. What is the term for a group of hermit crabs?
a) Flock
b) School
c) Colony
d) Troop
Answer: c) Colony

24. How do hermit crabs ensure they are protected while transitioning to a new, larger shell?
a) By rapidly burrowing into the sand
b) By seeking refuge in rock crevices
c) By performing a mating dance to intimidate predators
d) By staying hidden in their current shell until the transition is complete
Answer: d) By staying hidden in their current shell until the transition is complete

25. What is the name of the behavior exhibited by some hermit crabs, where they form a chain to exchange shells?
a) Shell sharing
b) Shell walking
c) Shell dance
d) Shell hooking
Answer: a) Shell sharing

26. Which of the following is a unique adaptation of some hermit crab species that allows them to live in freshwater environments?
a) Ability to close their gills when out of water
b) Ability to filter salt from seawater
c) Ability to hold water in their shells for drinking
d) Ability to excrete excess salt from their bodies
Answer: a) Ability to close their gills when out of water

27. What is the name of the behavior exhibited by some hermit crabs, where they use their front claws to clean and groom their bodies?
a) Claw flicking
b) Grooming dance
c) Sand shaking
d) Shell cleaning
Answer: a) Claw flicking

28. Hermit crabs are known for their nocturnal behavior. What does this mean?
a) They are active during the day
b) They are active during the night
c) They are active during both day and night
d) They are inactive most of the time
Answer: b) They are active during the night

29. What is the average lifespan of hermit crabs in the wild?
a) 1-2 years
b) 3-5 years
c) 5-10 years
d) 10-15 years
Answer: b) 3-5 years

30. Which of the following is a common type of food provided for pet hermit crabs?
a) Small fish and shrimp
b) Fresh fruits and vegetables
c) Commercial crab pellets
d) Steak and meat products
Answer: b) Fresh fruits and vegetables

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