The August Creature was the hermit crab.  The pictured species is from the Bering Sea, but there are many species of hermit crabs found off NY and NJ.  As with all hermit crabs, as it grows, the hermit crab molts and sheds its exoskeleton and will hide in the sand until the new outer layer hardens.  It then hunts for a larger shell in which to live.  The picture clue was a hermit crab without its shell.  Other marine creatures, such as anemones, live on hermit crabs’ shells.  This provides protection for the hermit crab and food for the attached creature.  Congratulations to Bob Jaconetti of Marlton, NJ, for being selected from a pool of correct entries.

October Creature: This endangered whale weighs 60-70 tons, can reach up to 88 feet in length, and is the second largest type of whale.  It is among the fastest of the great whales, reaching speeds to 23 miles per hour.  These whales have been observed circling schools of fish at high speed, rolling the fish into compact balls, then turning on their right side to engulf the fish (source: American Cetacean Society).  For a chance to win a COA T-shirt, submit your guess to Judge C. Krill by mail, or fax (18 Hartshorne Dr., Suite 2, Highlands, NJ 07732; 732-872-8041).

The Coastal Creature Feature winner will be announced in the December 2008 newsletter.