A special species to mark St Piran’s Day in Cornwall
Country Notebook
TODAY Cornwall celebrates St Piran’s Day, named after a patron saint of Cornwall and traditionally marked with parades, which have been cancelled this year due to coronavirus restrictions.
Foraging along the tideline in Cornwall during spring and summer months one might come across a namesake of this special saint – a rare kind of crab which was thought to have become extinct in Britain and only rediscovered a few years ago.
The St Piran’s crab is a species of hermit crab which was found in
Cornwall in March 2016 on a Cornwall Wildlife Trust Shoresearch survey after a gap of almost 50 years.
In 2016, BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke, who lives in Cornwall, was invited to see them and, after a public vote on the TV show, the rockpool critter was named the St Piran’s crab.
It was considered a fitting name as legends describe Saint Piran as a hermit who survived being thrown into the sea.
The crabs, which grow to up to 3cm long, have been spotted in recent years around the county at Porthleven, Mounts Bay at Marazion, Mousehole, Porth Mear (near Porthcothan) and Hannafore (Looe).
As a hermit crab it carries its home with it, using a variety of empty sea shells including flat periwinkle and dog whelk.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust says they are much shyer than the common hermit crab and will often hunker down inside their shell until all danger has disappeared. The best time to spot them is between April and October – though always be careful when rockpooling not to disturb fragile coastal habitats and replace any stones lifted the same way up.
The St Piran’s hermit crab can be identified by its red eye stalks with striking black and white eyes. The claws are equally sized, unlike other hermit crabs, with black tips and the claws and legs have blotches of red and electric blue.
A stunning species – and a cause for celebration whatever the time of year.