When people read or hear about crabs, they always think that they are all the same species. But in reality there are various types walking around the shores of the earth. In fact, there are 850 crab species recorded around the world. And these crab species vary from freshwater-based, terrestrial to semi-terrestrial species.
In this article, we will be discussing these two species which are the difference between hermit crabs and fiddler crabs.
Fiddler Crabs
The fiddler crab, like hermit crabs, are small and semi-terrestrial crabs that belong to the genus called Uca. Their name ‘fiddler’ was due to the fact that when these species feed, they use their small claw to the ground and then to its mouth, which actually resembles someone moving a bow across a fiddle. There are 90 recorded species which include subspecies of the fiddler crab and just like hermit crabs can be found in a variety of locations.
How can you tell the male from the female fiddler crabs? It’s easy to tell since males have a larger claw while females have smaller claws.
Where can you find fiddler crabs? They are found mostly around beaches and they retreat mostly in muddy areas when the tides go out. Some of them are found in water swamps.
Same with hermit crabs, fiddler crabs mostly scavenge for their food and they feed on organic matters found in rocks and mud.
Hermit Crabs
These species are small crustacean creatures. And ironic enough that they are called hermit crabs since they are social creatures and enjoy the presence of other hermit crabs. Hermit crabs have recorded 1000 species. Unlike fiddler crabs, they have soft abdomens. They are quite vulnerable without shells, hence they are mostly found carrying shells on their back and they replace this shell as they grow, which is also cold the molting phase. Hermit crab’s claws are small and bent.
As mentioned earlier, fiddler crabs feed like hermit crabs as well and they scavenge as one of their ways to survive. But they eat a variety of food since they are omnivores, which means they eat fruits, vegetables and even meat.