What is the symbiotic relationship between HERMIT CRAB AND SNAIL ?

The Symbiotic Relationship between Hermit Crab and Snail

Hermit crabs are unique creatures that have a fascinating relationship with sea snails. This relationship is known as commensalism, a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Hermit crabs do not have a hard exoskeleton to protect themselves, so they rely on finding and using an empty sea shell to live in. This is where their relationship with sea snails comes into play.

When hermit crabs outgrow their current shell, they search for a larger one to move into. Sea snails are constantly discarding their old shells as they grow, leaving behind perfectly suitable homes for hermit crabs.

This is where the commensalism comes in - the hermit crab benefits by having a protective shell to live in, while the sea snail is unaffected by the presence of the crab. The hermit crab does not harm the snail or take anything vital from it, creating a harmonious relationship between the two creatures.

Overall, the symbiotic relationship between hermit crabs and sea snails is a perfect example of how organisms in nature can coexist and benefit from each other without causing harm.

What is the symbiotic relationship between HERMIT CRAB AND SNAIL ?

Answer: the hermit crab has a commensalism symbiotic relationship with sea snails – the hermit crabs uses discarded sea shells to live in, and this relationship does not affect the other organism (the snail). Explanation: