Ermitaño, así le nombran a este crustáceo tan común en las zonas costeras de Cuba. Sin embargo , y por alguna razón que desconozco, este pequeño milagro de la naturaleza es conocido entre los habitantes de la isla con el nombre de macao.
Su más curioso comportamiento le ha acreditado como un usurpador de conchas de caracoles marinos, como la del molusco sigua y hasta de caracoles de agua dulce. La razón es bastante simple: supervivencia y protección.
Su cuerpo posee una parte (bolsa) que deben proteger de los depredadores. Por ello se apropia de las conchas abandonadas y luego las exhibe con total "descaro" como propias. Obviamente, las casas van siendo sustituidas a medida de que el crustáceo crece.
Lo cierto es que de capacidad de adaptación al entorno y el talento para aprovechar lo que la naturaleza ofrece, le han dado fama.
Otra de las razones de su popularidad, más negativas, es el temible efecto de la presión de sus muelas. Sobre ello se han tejido historias, populares estribillos de canciones. Es que nuestro "macao" solo mengua la fuerza de su mordida si se le expone al fuego en la parte posterior de la concha. Solo así suelta a su presa.
De estos temas conoce mucho mi pequeño sobrino. El niño que ven en las imágenes es un travieso intrépido, un amante de los tesoros del entorno y desde ya muestra inclinación por el estudio de ramas de la ciencia como la entomología y la zoología en general.
Por tales razones, su pasatiempo favorito es observar y aprender de los seres vivos. Su abuelo materno, quien vive en la costa, le envió este ejemplar para que estudiara su comportamiento bien de cerca. Así, la criatura ha vivido en un pomo de cristal por algunos días, bajo el escrutinio constante del niño y su hermano menor. A veces le dejan salir y caminar pero luego lo devuelven al pomo.
En las fotografías lo pueden ver feliz, mostrando a su amigo y yo, que soy cómplice de algunas de sus aventuras, tomé fotos mientras disertaba sobre sus descubrimientos al respecto.
No se preocupen por el bienestar del macao. Hoy ya está libre en este buen mundo de Dios.
Una vez satisfechas las expectativas del conocimiento mi sobrino le dejó seguir su camino, como buen amante de la vida que es. Me contó, via telefónica que su amigo se había ido a su mundo.
Es maravilloso que los niños puedan tener experiencias de este tipo, contacto directo con los seres vivos, aprender observando, crecer en sensibilidad y sabiduría. Así se forman en el necesario amor y valoran la vida según su experiencia real.
Amigos de 
Les encuentro en la próxima aventura natural.
Hasta entonces, les dejo abrazos de luz.
La Información compartida es de mi propiedad
Contenido traducido con Google Translator. Banners creados en Canva
Hermit crab, that's the name given to this crustacean so common in the coastal areas of Cuba. However, and for some reason I don't know, this little miracle of nature is known among the island's inhabitants as macao.
Its most curious behavior has earned it the reputation of usurping the shells of marine snails, such as the sigua mollusk, and even freshwater snails. The reason is quite simple: survival and protection. Its body has a part (a pouch) that it must protect from predators. Therefore, it appropriates abandoned shells and then displays them with complete "shame" as its own.
Obviously, the shells are replaced as the crustacean grows. The truth is that its ability to adapt to its environment and its talent for taking advantage of what nature offers have made it famous.
Another, more negative, reason for its popularity is the fearsome bite force of its molars. Stories and popular song refrains have been woven around this. Our macaque only lessens the strength of its bite if it is exposed to fire on the back of its shell. Only then will it release its prey.
My little nephew knows a lot about these topics. The boy you see in the pictures is a mischievous, intrepid little fellow, a lover of the treasures of his surroundings, and he already shows an inclination for studying branches of science such as entomology and zoology in general. For these reasons, his favorite pastime is observing and learning about living things.
His maternal grandfather, who lives on the coast, sent him this specimen so he could study its behavior closely. Thus, the creature has been living in a glass jar for a few days, under the constant scrutiny of the boy and his younger brother. Sometimes they let it out to walk around, but then they put it back in the jar.
In the photographs, you can see him happy, showing off his friend, and I, who am an accomplice in some of his adventures, took pictures while he discussed his discoveries about it.
Don't worry about the macaw's well-being. Today it's free in this good world of God.
Once my nephew had satisfied his expectations of learning, he let it go on its way, as the true lover of life he is. He told me over the phone that his friend had returned to his world. It's wonderful that children can have experiences like this, direct contact with living beings, learning by observing, growing in sensitivity and wisdom. This is how they develop the necessary love and value life according to their real experience.
Friends of
I hope my article has shed some light on the subject and that, like my little nephew, it has sparked your curiosity and led you to seek more information about this species. These have been just a few glimpses, information gleaned from conversations with my nephew, which were extremely useful to me.
I'll see you in the next nature adventure.
Until then, I send you hugs of light.
The information shared is my property
Content translated with Google Translator. Banners made in Canva
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