Use of Terrestrial Hermit Crabs in the Study of Habituation

Abstract

For small colleges, the use of invertebrates in undergraduate learning laboratory experiments may be a valuable alternative to the use of vertebrate species. This article describes a habituation experiment using terrestrial hermit crabs. All of the materials required are inexpensive and readily available. What makes this experiment unique is that although the instructor sets basic parameters, students have a crucial role in the experiment's design and the analysis of collected data. Assessment of learning outcomes and student evaluations indicate that conducting this experiment aided in students' learning of behavioral techniques, habituation phenomena and theory, and the role of habituation in the lives of organisms.

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