Hermit crab

Fertilization of the eggs by the male takes place when the female molts, as she switches shells. The female can only reproduce after molting, while her exoskeleton is still soft.

The choice of shell directly influences fertility in female hermit crabs. The selected shell allows them to reach sexual maturity earlier and produce a greater number of eggs.

Females can lay eggs several times a year. They carry the eggs beneath their abdomen, inside the shell. The hatching of the larvae is usually synchronized with environmental conditions.

The larvae go through a series of molts and a metamorphosis before selecting their first protective shell.