About Pagurus hirsutiusculus (Dana, 1851)
Description: Adult Pagurus hirsutiusculus have body colors that range from olive green to brown to black. A key distinguishing feature of this hermit crab is the presence of white, and often also blue, bands on its walking legs. Its antennae are grayish-brown and marked with distinct white bands. This species is also easily recognizable by the very dense covering of hair across its entire body. The adult carapace can reach a maximum length of 19 mm (0.75 in), and the full body of individuals from northern populations can grow up to 70 mm (2.8 in) long. Populations located south of Puget Sound are smaller, less hairy, and are classified as a separate subspecies: P. hirsutiusculus venturensis.
Range and habitat: Pagurus hirsutiusculus occurs from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska to southern California, and also from the Bering Strait south to Japan. It inhabits depths from the middle intertidal zone down to 110 m (360 ft), and generally occurs at deeper depths than the related species Pagurus samuelis. It is commonly found in sand or rock-bottomed tide pools, and also under rocks, logs, and seaweed, and it is the most common hermit crab in San Francisco Bay.
