Critter of the Week: New Zealand hermit crab | kaunga

This week's critter is the kaunga (New Zealand hermit crab, Pagurus novizealandiae), one of more than 60 species of hermit crab found in Aotearoa. Like other hermit crab species, kaunga move through many different shells during their lives. When they're in the market for a new home, they look for another crab with the right size shell to trade with. The two crabs probe, rock and knock each other's shells to check for quality before quickly switching accommodation.