Abdomen - The soft, twisted body of the hermit crab (located behind the cephalothorax), which contains many of the internal organs (including the liver, much of the digestive tract, the reproductive system, etc.); it is usually hidden inside shell, which gives it much-needed protection.

Antennae - The long sensory organs (feelers) locatedtowards the front of the crab (each of the long pair of feelers is called an antenna; each of the short pair is called an antennule).

Carapace -The hard, protective outer shell of the crab.The carapace is made of chitin.

Cheliped - One of two big claws used for defense and food handling; one cheliped is much bigger than the other.

Eye - The two compound eyes are located on eyestalks at the top of the cephalothorax.

Reduced 4th and 5th legs - Very short, jointed legs that are kept within the shell, and are used to hold onto the inside of the shell.

Shell - A hard shelter (made by a gastropod like a snail or a whelk) that is temporarly used by the hermit crab.When the crab grows bigger than the shell, it must find a new shell.

Walking legs - Two pairs of long, jointed legs used for locomotion (walking); they are attached to the thorax.