When Hermit Crabs and Sea Anemones Work Together

The Fascinating Relationship Between Hermit Crabs and Sea Anemones

When hermit crabs crawl across the ocean floor, they often have sea anemones attached to their backs. The anemones use their dangerous tentacles to keep hermit crab predators at bay, and they dine on the particles of food that the crab does not eat. This is an example of symbiosis.

Symbiosis is a biological relationship between two organisms whereby both benefits food, shelter, protection, etc., from each other. In this case, hermit crabs derive protection from the sea anemone, while the latter derives food from the hermit crabs. Thus, both hermit crabs and sea anemones benefit, showing symbiosis.

When hermit crabs crawl across the ocean floor with sea anemones attached to their backs, what type of biological relationship is this an example of?

Option D) Symbiosis