World Long before hermit crabs, the ancient penis worm used shells to defend itself, new study says November 9, 2021November 9, 2021Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAYComments Off on Long before hermit crabs, the ancient penis worm used shells to defend itself, new study says Fossils suggest priapulan worms, or penis worms, were using old shells as a means of self-defense millions of years before the hermit crab existed.