How do you get a hermit crab to switch shells?
Answers:
You have to put a bigger shell in it's box and when it get's to big for the one it's in it will move to the new one
Other Answers:
Okay, I dunno why this Q is in this category, but anyway. Put several (bigger) different sized shells in his box. He'll choose one and move out of its old shell when he feels like it.
you need to put a bigger shell in the cage with the crab. he will move into in when he is outgrowing the one he is in.
OK you can not force him to change shells if he doesn't want to. DO not get frustrated at him. If he doesnt like the one you are offereing you should get more.. offer at least 3 different ones at a time and switch them out with others often, he will then switch when he is ready.. you may think the shell is ill fitting and it very well may be.. but he only knows when the time is right.
DO NOT COVER HIS CAGE/tank they must have 12 hours of light. make sure the humidity and temps are in the correct ranges too. that may have something to do with it at times.. stress makes them act funny.
Check our site for the ranges.
If he is a purple pincher he would love green turbo shells and tapestry turbo shells.
Sizes that must be offered also need to differ.. a tiny bit smaller opening.. almost the same opening and then a bigger opening. You can kind of guess by the size of his big pincher because that is what he will use to judge if the size is right or not.. his big pincher must be able to fit inside side-ways to block the enterance.. if it doesnt he will not bother trying on a new one.
Also boil them in dechlor water and rinse them often with dechlor water.. they love moist clean shells. if they are dirty they do not like switching a lot because they can hurt their sensitive abdomens.
Source(s):
Our hermit crab rescue http://www.geocities.com/hermitcrab_rescue/
Our hermit crab forums http://crabrescue.proboards102.com/index.cgi
10 years of owning and working with land hermit crabs. We have studied and researched Land Hermit Crabs for 15 years, our eldest crab has been with us for that 15 years.. we are advocates and run a hermit crabs rescue and educational facility. Own 43 right now
Put an eviction notice on his current shell and offer him another.
Buy a shell that is the "next size up" from the one the crab is currently in. Just put it in his little cage and when he is ready, he will make the switch on his own.
mb
they switch shells when they have outgrown the one that they are in.
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