The so-called hermit crab is in fact a social creature; in the wild they exist in colonies of a hundred or more. The common name applies to more than 1,000 species of the superfamily Paguroidea, but only a few of these are routinely kept as pets. Their signature behavior of adopting a series of second-hand shells as they grow has been riffed on by makers in a number of clever ways.

Most recently trending, this piece from the The Guardian, with video showing “Harry,” a hermit crab who lives in a rock pool at Legoland Windsor, sporting a brightly colored shell custom made from Lego elements by the staff. Legoland’s Liane Riley chose to emphasize that Harry was not forced to endorse their product: “We weren’t really sure if he’d actually move in, but he rejected the sea and snail shells on offer and seems very comfortable in his new home.” [Thanks, Laura!]

Home is wear the art is: hermit crab moves into Lego shell

More:

• 3D-Printed Shells for Hermit Crabs
• Hermit crabs in glass