If your hermit crab is reluctant to switch shells, try some of the following techniques that have worked for other hermit crab owners.
1. Provide Lots of Shells
The more empty shells your hermit crab encounters, the more he will begin thinking about switching shells. Entice him to switch by offering him a wide variety of styles. Vendors use this technique to transfer hermit crabs from plain shells to more fancier ones.
2. Clean the Shells
It is smart to disinfect any new shell you purchase by first boiling it in water before you offer it to your hermit crabs. This process should remove or sanitize any dead animal matter that could be found within the shell spire. Hermit crabs get excited to switch when they see a clean seashell!
3. Reintroduce Them
Sometimes the simple act of removing unwanted empty shells from the cage and returning them a few days later will cause your hermit crabs to regain interest in them.
4. Give Him Privacy
If your cage is crowded with many hermit crabs, an individual may be reluctant to switch shells simply because doing so exposes his soft abdomen, making him vulnerable to other hermit crabs. Placing him for a short time in a private cage with some empty shells may make him feel comfortable enough to switch.
1. Provide Lots of Shells
The more empty shells your hermit crab encounters, the more he will begin thinking about switching shells. Entice him to switch by offering him a wide variety of styles. Vendors use this technique to transfer hermit crabs from plain shells to more fancier ones.
2. Clean the Shells
It is smart to disinfect any new shell you purchase by first boiling it in water before you offer it to your hermit crabs. This process should remove or sanitize any dead animal matter that could be found within the shell spire. Hermit crabs get excited to switch when they see a clean seashell!
3. Reintroduce Them
Sometimes the simple act of removing unwanted empty shells from the cage and returning them a few days later will cause your hermit crabs to regain interest in them.
4. Give Him Privacy
If your cage is crowded with many hermit crabs, an individual may be reluctant to switch shells simply because doing so exposes his soft abdomen, making him vulnerable to other hermit crabs. Placing him for a short time in a private cage with some empty shells may make him feel comfortable enough to switch.
