They scurry sideways in search of cover, and although small, are capable of inflicting some pain with their little pincers. Unlike their cousins, who shed their shells and grow new ones, the Hermit Crabs borrow the shells of various deceased snails, moving into larger ones as their growth dictates. Exposed rocks are festooned with mussels. More difficult to pick out on the rocks are the chitons, molluscs with segmented shells that look a little like oversized sowbugs. The various species range in size from 5 to 30 cm.
Barnacles look like molluscs, but in fact they are crustaceans, like shrimp.
When submerged by the tide, their hard shells open, and delicate fan-like fronds sieve the water for food. At low tide, they shut tightly to preserve moisture. On a very low tide, it may be possible to find the amazingly soft-bodied sea cucumbers, and sea slugs, or nudibranchs. Some of these are the most exotically coloured animals in these waters. Many are quite small, growing to 6 or 8 cm, but a careful search of tidepools can be rewarding.