Hermit crabs who have recently been harvested from the wild are typically very eager to switch shells, since finding suitable shells in the wild is somewhat difficult. If hermit crabs cannot find appropriate shells in the wild, they have been known to wear old plastic bottle caps, tin cans, or small glass bottles instead. Thus, providing your hermit crabs with multiple shells to change into is VERY important. Let's look closer at what multiple shells can offer hermit crabs.
1. PROTECTION - A hermit crab wears an old snail shell on his back to protect his soft abdomen. Wearing a shell also allows him a quick place to hide in if he is scared, since hermit crabs can quickly withdraw their bodies into their shell. Furthermore, a shell acts like a helmet to cushion any accidental falls that a hermit crab may take. Providing multiple shells to your hermit crab allows him to pick a shell that he feels best protects him.
2. ROOM TO GROW - As hermit crabs molt (the growth process of shedding their exoskeleton, eating it, and developing a new one), they become larger and will need a bigger shell to move into. Your hermit crab will be more comfortable after a molt if you provide him with lots of bigger shells to choose from.
3. SHELL FIGHT PREVENTION - Shells are so important to hermit crabs that they can sometimes fight one another for a particular shell. To avoid this possibility, always provide your hermit crabs with plenty of shells so that they are less likely to quarrel over a single shell or a shell that may already be occupied by another hermit crab.
4. CLEANING - Sometimes a hermit crab will switch into another shell so that he can look inside his old shell and thoroughly clean it out with his legs and claws. Once his old shell has been cleaned, a hermit crab will often move back into it. Although hermit crabs can keep the insides of their shells clean without having to leave them, providing your hermit crabs with this cleaning opportunity is one they will often take advantage of.
5. APPEARANCE AND COMFORT - If given the opportunity to pick from many empty shells, hermit crabs will choose shells that are attractive and comfortable to them. Each hermit crab has his own unique shell preference. Some prefer the security of very big shells, and others like smaller shells that are not so cumbersome. Some hermit crabs prefer to wear a thick, heavy shell for protection, and others prefer lighter shells that have thinner walls. Other hermit crabs will prefer to stick with one kind of shell and will refuse to change shells unless the same exact kind is provided. As you provide your hermit crabs with empty shells, you will begin to see their unique personalities!
1. PROTECTION - A hermit crab wears an old snail shell on his back to protect his soft abdomen. Wearing a shell also allows him a quick place to hide in if he is scared, since hermit crabs can quickly withdraw their bodies into their shell. Furthermore, a shell acts like a helmet to cushion any accidental falls that a hermit crab may take. Providing multiple shells to your hermit crab allows him to pick a shell that he feels best protects him.
2. ROOM TO GROW - As hermit crabs molt (the growth process of shedding their exoskeleton, eating it, and developing a new one), they become larger and will need a bigger shell to move into. Your hermit crab will be more comfortable after a molt if you provide him with lots of bigger shells to choose from.
3. SHELL FIGHT PREVENTION - Shells are so important to hermit crabs that they can sometimes fight one another for a particular shell. To avoid this possibility, always provide your hermit crabs with plenty of shells so that they are less likely to quarrel over a single shell or a shell that may already be occupied by another hermit crab.
4. CLEANING - Sometimes a hermit crab will switch into another shell so that he can look inside his old shell and thoroughly clean it out with his legs and claws. Once his old shell has been cleaned, a hermit crab will often move back into it. Although hermit crabs can keep the insides of their shells clean without having to leave them, providing your hermit crabs with this cleaning opportunity is one they will often take advantage of.
5. APPEARANCE AND COMFORT - If given the opportunity to pick from many empty shells, hermit crabs will choose shells that are attractive and comfortable to them. Each hermit crab has his own unique shell preference. Some prefer the security of very big shells, and others like smaller shells that are not so cumbersome. Some hermit crabs prefer to wear a thick, heavy shell for protection, and others prefer lighter shells that have thinner walls. Other hermit crabs will prefer to stick with one kind of shell and will refuse to change shells unless the same exact kind is provided. As you provide your hermit crabs with empty shells, you will begin to see their unique personalities!
If hermit crabs cannot find a suitable shells in the wild, they have been known to wear old plastic bottle caps, tin cans, or small glass bottles instead!
