Skip to content

Contact Us

crabstreetjournal@gmail.com

The Crab Street Journal
The Crab Street Journal

Good friends in a pinch!

Primary Navigation Menu
Menu
  • Community
    • Blog Posts
      • General
      • ArtWork
      • Ask Milo
      • Caresheets
      • Crabitat
      • Contest Voting
      • FAQ
      • Noteworthy Crabbers
    • Calendar of Events
    • Chewin’ the Choya (Forums)
      • Contest Entry Forum
    • Contest Rules
      • Calendar Crab
      • Crabitat of the Month
      • Hermit Crab Pumpkin Carving Contest
    • CSJ on Social Media
      • Crab Street Journal Instagram Feed
    • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • The Newbies Guide to Hermit Crabs
    • Hermit Crab Emergency Help
    • Adoptions
    • Market (Food Shop)
    • Become an Approved Seller
    • Teacher’s Pet/Claws in the Classroom
    • Advocacy and Outreach
      • Animal Cruelty Laws
      • Pet Store Report Form
      • Pet Store Reports
      • Say NO to Painted Shells
    • Caresheets
      • Crabitat
      • FAQ
      • Food and Nutrition
        • Market (food shop)
        • Recipe Book for Hermit Crabs
          • Hermit Crab Recipe Submission Form
      • Biology
        • Hermit Crab Species
      • PDF Library
    • Shopping Directory
    • Activity Pages
      • Coloring Pages
      • Word Find
      • Mazes
    • There’s a map for that!
      • CSJ/LHCOS Approved Adopters Maps
      • Local Reps Map
      • Hermit Crab Species Map
    • Product Reviews
      • Product Review Submission Form
    • Back issues of our print magazine
    • Media Kit
  • About us
  • Support CSJ!
    • Amazon Promotions
    • Hermit Crab Clothing and Goodies
    • Purchase a Hermit Crab species poster
    • Donate-Paypal

FAQ How do I choose suitable shells for my hermit crab?

***Note: There is a newer version of this article:

Land Hermit Crab Shell Guide

 

A hermit crab’s shell is his home and his protection from predators and dessication. Hermit crabs take up residence in discarded shells and can not make their own shell. When kept as pets it is important that you choose suitable shells for your hermit crab.

In semi-terrestrial hermit crabs a well-fitting shell is essential for maintaining low evaporation rates and carrying ample water. An appropriately sized shell in good condition allows invasion of inland environments offering more shade, food and fresh water for C. clypeatus studied on Curacao. Hermit crabs with broken, ill-fitting shells are restricted to the coast, must rely on drinking saltwater, and appear to be in relatively poor condition.[1]

Terrestrial hermit crabs show “shell facilitation”; that is, larger populations of crab generate, through wear, larger numbers of shells suitable for adult crabs. [2]

Hermit crab’s should be allowed to choose the shell they prefer from a selection of different sizes and types of shells. Natural shells are the best option. Painted shells should be avoided. Shells should not have jagged edges or holes in them.

Most species of hermit crabs will prefer a shell with a round opening. Coenobita compressus (Ecquadorian) prefers a shell with a D shaped opening.

Shells should be cleaned and boiled before offering to your hermit crabs. If you collected shells from the beach be sure the shells are EMPTY before bringing them home.

Hermit crabs can be very stubborn about changing shells but do not attempt to force a crab from it’s shell.

Contrary to common belief, a molt does not mandate a shell change! If the existing shell is roomy enough to allow for growth during a molt, the hermit crab may feel no need to change shells. Additionally, you will find some hermit crabs are chronic shell shoppers, always trying on something new.

Hermit crab shells are sold online by the size of opening. To determine the correct opening size measure the opening as shown here:

Measuring hermit crab shells
FAQ How do I choose suitable shells for my hermit crab?


Photos of common hermit crab shells:
Common Hermit Crab Shells

Are hermit crabs looking for lighter and larger shells?
The distribution, abundance and shell selection behavior of three species of hermit crabs
Land Hermit Crabs Use the Smell of Dead Conspecifics to Locate Shells
Coenobita violscens shell behavior
The Social Lives of Hermit Crabs

Check our collection of PDFs for more research documents about coenobita and sea shells.

References:
1. Wilde, 1973
2. Abrams 1978

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

2012-10-16
In: Archives
Tagged: choosing, good, hermit crab, measure, proper, right, selecting, shells, suitable
Previous Post: FAQ Where can I get quality shells for my hermit crabs?
Next Post: FAQ How can I buff shells?

Enter One of our Monthly Contests

You must be LOGGED in for this to work!

Enter Now
Log In

Or Login with your social media account:

Facebook Google Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Amazon Windowslive
logo


Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Recent Posts

  • 2019 November Voting Polls
  • A Holiday Feast for Hermit Crabs
  • Get Pre-Approved to Adopt Captive Bred Hermit Crab Babies
  • Come see us in Janesville Wisconsin!
  • LHCOS Welcomes Two New Local Representatives

Our other websites

Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (our parent org)
Land Hermit Crab Species
Stacy's hermit crab blog

Proud Member

The Crustacean Society
The Crustacean Society

The Crab Street Journal © 2001-2019

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: