The Story
Crack! Smack! Whack! On a sandy beach, two hermit crabs are fighting over a large, empty snail shell. Why? Both crabs have outgrown their shells and their "homes" are starting to feel rather tight.
In this book, readers will be astounded to learn that a hermit crab's shell is not actually attached to its body. Instead, these crabs have a hard exoskeleton on their front halves, but must find secondhand shells to cover their soft, unprotected abdomens. Learn all about the bodies of these fascinating crustaceans.
- Watch as a crab explores its seashore habitat looking for a new, bigger home.
- Discover what happens on "moving day" as a crab discards its old shell and moves into its latest find.
- And be amazed to see a group of differently sized hermit crabs form a line to swap shells--each moving into the shell of its bigger neighbor!
Readers will enjoy learning about the unusual behavior of these animals, and will love the close-up photos that show hermit crabs in search of their next home.
Author: Ruth Owen
Publisher: Ruby Tuesday Books
Published: 02/01/2026
Pages: 24
Binding Type: Library Binding
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 8.40h x 8.30w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9781788566278
Audience: Ages 9-12
Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 558373 / Hermit Crab's New Shell
Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 100
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Owen, Ruth: - Ruth Owen has written more than one thousand children's books. She writes on many subjects, but science and nature are her favorite topics to research and make accessible for young readers.
Description
Crack! Smack! Whack! On a sandy beach, two hermit crabs are fighting over a large, empty snail shell. Why? Both crabs have outgrown their shells and their "homes" are starting to feel rather tight.
In this book, readers will be astounded to learn that a hermit crab's shell is not actually attached to its body. Instead, these crabs have a hard exoskeleton on their front halves, but must find secondhand shells to cover their soft, unprotected abdomens. Learn all about the bodies of these fascinating crustaceans.
- Watch as a crab explores its seashore habitat looking for a new, bigger home.
- Discover what happens on "moving day" as a crab discards its old shell and moves into its latest find.
- And be amazed to see a group of differently sized hermit crabs form a line to swap shells--each moving into the shell of its bigger neighbor!
Readers will enjoy learning about the unusual behavior of these animals, and will love the close-up photos that show hermit crabs in search of their next home.
Author: Ruth Owen
Publisher: Ruby Tuesday Books
Published: 02/01/2026
Pages: 24
Binding Type: Library Binding
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 8.40h x 8.30w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9781788566278
Audience: Ages 9-12
Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 558373 / Hermit Crab's New Shell
Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 100
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Owen, Ruth: - Ruth Owen has written more than one thousand children's books. She writes on many subjects, but science and nature are her favorite topics to research and make accessible for young readers.
