Waiting in line not for an iPad, but for a new shell

By Stefanie Geisler, Globe Correspondent

It turns out hermit crabs might not be so antisocial, after all. According to a study conducted by biologists at the New England Aquarium and Tufts University, hermit crabs appear to congregate -- lining up like humans waiting for an iPad -- when looking for new shells, rather than go it alone.

Using field studies, lab experiments, and computer models, the biologists discovered that hermit crabs join together in what is known as a "synchronous vacancy chain" when they are looking for a new home.

Hermit crabs use empty snail shells as shelter and protection. As the crabs grow, they must find bigger, more suitable shells.

According to the study, when an empty shell is found, hermit crabs line up in order of descending size. After the largest crab moves into the new shell, the one directly behind it takes its old shell. This shell-swapping continues down the line, until each crab has a different -- and hopefully better -- place to call home.