
How Hermit Crabs Choose Their Shells
Clip: Season 42 Episode 2 | 2m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
In the tropical paradise of Belize, the hermit crabs have a problem.
In Belize, hermit crabs have outgrown their homes, or their shells have become worse for wear. To find out how they resolve their housing issues, Spy Hermit Crab goes undercover.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Major support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, The Fairweather Foundation, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Charles Rosenblum, Kathy Chiao and...

How Hermit Crabs Choose Their Shells
Clip: Season 42 Episode 2 | 2m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
In Belize, hermit crabs have outgrown their homes, or their shells have become worse for wear. To find out how they resolve their housing issues, Spy Hermit Crab goes undercover.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Nature
Nature is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now

Explore More Ways to Watch
Bring the beauty and wonders of wildlife and natural history into your home with classic NATURE episodes.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- [Narrator] Another spy goes undercover.
One with a camera in its shell.
It's arrived at the perfect moment.
The crabs line up in order of size.
They don't all need grand accommodation.
They just need the next size up.
First, they must find their correct place in the queue.
They wait until everyone is assembled.
Then the house swap begins.
The largest leaves his old home and moves into the vacant shell next door.
Then the next size down takes over the shell he left behind, and so it goes on in order of size.
Most are content with their new home, although one seems to have house envy.
He's eyeing up our spy.
He just needs to check the shell for size.
It meets his requirements so he doesn't waste time.
But this home comes with responsibilities.
Ones that involve filming, too.
But our new spy seems to be having second thoughts.
His old shell was a better fit after all.
He'll keep it for a little longer.
Our spy is now the only crab left homeless.
Preview of Spy in the Ocean: Deep Thinkers
Video has Closed Captions
Spy creatures reveal an ocean full of startling ways of thinking. (30s)
Pufferfish Builds Sand Sculpture for Mating
Video has Closed Captions
Male Japanese pufferfish build exquisite sand sculptures to attract a mate. (2m 49s)
Spy Octopus Helps Friend Hide From Shark
Video has Closed Captions
An unlikely ally helps a coconut octopus escape sharks. (3m 3s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Major support for NATURE is provided by The Arnhold Family in memory of Henry and Clarisse Arnhold, The Fairweather Foundation, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Charles Rosenblum, Kathy Chiao and...