Pylocheles

The genus Pylocheles is a type of deepwater crab found in the Indian Ocean. These crabs are unique among hermit crabs because they do not use snail shells for protection. Instead, Pylocheles crabs inhabit hollow sections of bamboo.1

Hermit crabs, in general, are crustaceans that use empty shells or other hollow objects to protect their soft, asymmetrical abdomens. Their bodies are not covered by a hard carapace, making them vulnerable without a shelter. They have modified legs, with the first pair forming pincers to cover the shell opening, and the other legs used to grip the inside of their chosen home. As they grow, hermit crabs must find larger shells, leading to intense competition for suitable shelters. Other species of hermit crabs have adapted to live in wood, coral, sponges, or the tubes of tubeworms.1