Interesting.



"Hermit crabs routinely take over shells that have been vacated by their fellows. Periodically, multiple crabs will locate a single new shell by smell simultaneously. When this occurs, a choreographed activity may take place. The crabs line up next to each other, according to size, with the largest situated next to the new, recently fondled dwelling. The largest crab will then vacate its shell in favor of the new one. The shell that has just been emptied will be passed to the crab next in size down the line. This crab will look it over and possibly adopt it, in turn handing its own shell down to the crab next in size, and so on. The practice is precise and fast, resulting in the greatest number of crabs achieving properly fitting homes while affording all the least amount of time spent outside their shells, unsheltered from predators."



Cabinet Magazine Online :: The Hand Up Project: Attempting to Meet the New Needs of Natural Life-Forms