July 4, 2015

Later in the evening we began working with hermit crabs. We were instructed to separate into three groups with our roommates. Each group was given 50 of the same shells. We were to label each shell with a “T” to indicate our room followed by the shell number 1-50 and 15 at the end to indicate the year. After labeling each of the shells with sharpie we were to put a bit of superglue on the marker to seal it on shell. Then we took four measurements of each shell using calipers. We took the length and width of the shell and the length and width of the aperture. There were four students in our group and we each took one of those measurements for all 50 shells. We worked like machines and finished fairly quickly with a great deal of accuracy. After measuring the shells each group chose a location to place their shells. We placed ours in the sand to the right of the pathway leading to the water from the dining area. Each morning we are to check the shells to see if any have been taken by crabs. If any shells are left we are to take the same shell measurements to determine the approximate size of the creature.