What makes hermit crabs change shells

The problem is hermit crabs are continually outgrowing their shells and the local real estate market is incredibly competitive. If the shell is too big, the prospecting hermit crab will sit back and wait to steal the castoff shell of a larger crab that decides to upgrade. In the meantime, while the first crab waits, other crabs gather around the shell and do the same. When a crab large enough to fit the vacant shell arrives, a bit of orderly chaos ensues video below.

The hermit crabs form a sort of conga line ordered from largest to smallest crab. As the largest crab enters its new home, the next crab in line takes the vacated shell, leaving an open shell for the crab behind him. The shell swapping continues down the line until everyone has upgraded. If Sheldon looks a little cramped, or hasn't changed shells in a long time, it's normal to wonder why he's so reluctant to move. You can try to encourage a switch by ensuring that he's got a nice variety of shells to choose from.

If you provide different shapes of sufficient size, it might make him a little more willing to change. You might also try boiling the shells to ensure there is no odor lingering that might be dissuading Sheldon from choosing a new residence. If you do this, make sure you don't have a little hermit crab hiding away in there! Finally, always avoid painted shells; the paint can chip off and poison Sheldon. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use.

The Perfect Shell Like all hermit crabs, Sheldon has a hard exoskeleton that covers all but his abdomen, which requires protection. Trading In or Up There's no rhyme or reason to why or when Sheldon will change his shell. Molting: Often Time for a Different Shell Hermit crabs grow through the molting process, and it's the most stressful time of a hermit crab's life. In any case, be sure to supply your crab with at least 3 shells, some a little smaller and others a little larger than their current shell.

Most times a hermit crab will change its shell because of the abundance of shells available to them. They will be especially interested in trying a few new shells on for size if they are a Carribean Hermit Crab as mentioned previously. They will also do the opposite. A lack of empty shells in their crabitat will cause any crab to stick with its own shell. Because of this, you need to supply your crabitat with plenty of shells for your hermit crabs to choose from.

Whenever they change shells is entirely up to them, you just need to allow your pet crab to make that choice. I mentioned earlier that each crab in your environment needs at minimum 3 shells.

Avoid painted shell as chipping paint can be toxic. At least one needs to be a little bit larger than their current shell, and another needs to be a little bit smaller. Also, keep the openings consistent. If its current shell has an oval-shaped opening, buy a new shell with an oval-shaped opening. Hermit crabs change shells for 3 reasons: they are preparing to molt, they just finished molting, or they have found a shell that they like better compared to their current one.

Ecuadorian crabs will sometimes choose not to change its shell, even after its molt. When hermit crabs are preparing to molt, sometimes they will move to a smaller shell beforehand. This is because hermit crabs shed a fine layer of their skin and actually finish the molting process noticeably smaller than before.

Once the hermit crab has had a week or two for its new skin to form and harden, it will move to a larger shell to call home. This is the most important time to have extra shells in your cage. Your hermit crabs deserve the best and should never settle for an ok shell. This usually occurs a few weeks after a long molt. A hermit crab house hunting will trade shells very often. Your hermit crab is just trying to find the very best shell.

Hermit crabs do it on their own time, given that you gave them everything they need. More on that later. A good way to check is to hold your hermit crab by the end of its shell.

This is not something you should regularly do, as it is stressful for the crab. This should cause your crab to sink back into its shell.