Meet the Pom Pom Crab

In a study published in 2017 by researchers at James Cook University in Australia found that Pom Pom crabs will indeed steal sea anemones from other crabs if they are unable to find their own. The researchers observed the behavior in the wild and in laboratory experiments, and found that the crabs were successful in stealing anemones from other crabs in over 70% of cases. This behavior is thought to be an adaptation that allows the Pom Pom crabs to maintain their symbiotic relationships with the sea anemones, even in situations where they are unable to find a suitable partner on their own.

Currently, the Pom Pom Crab is not considered to be endangered. However, like many marine species, it is vulnerable to habitat destruction and pollution. The destruction of coral reefs due to climate change and human activities such as overfishing and pollution could have a negative impact on Pom Pom Crab populations in the future.

It is important to protect the marine environments where these crabs and their symbiotic relationships with sea anemones live to ensure their survival and the health of the marine ecosystem as a whole.