When hermit crabs have outgrown their shells, they often have trouble finding a new one. In these situations, they often create a “vacancy chain” to find the perfect shell for themselves.
Your hermit crab may have something stuck inside its shell causing it to be uncomfortable. Rinsing the shell with dechlorinated water may help dislodge this item.
Molting
If a hermit crab suddenly quits its shell, it may be in the process of molting. During this time, it will be extra soft and sensitive. It will also be eating its old exoskeleton to prepare for the upcoming molt. You can see this by observing the hermit crab looking paler than usual or if you look at it closely, you might be able to see a gummy substance oozing from under its abdomen. It will also start to dig a tunnel inside its substrate, which is normal.
During this time, you should try to avoid handling it, as hermit crabs are very vulnerable at this point. You can place it in a container with a bottom dome portion of a two-liter bottle for ventilation and provide it with a couple of suitable shells to choose from. You can also put some lukewarm water and some different foods in the container. You should monitor it closely to make sure that the crab isn’t trying to escape (it can injure itself if it does) and look for signs of molting such as transparent eyes, lifting of the old exoskeleton and a water sac.
Hermit crabs that are moulting require plenty of food and water. You should keep a hygrometer in the habitat and spray it with warm distilled water regularly to ensure that its substrate is at the correct humidity levels. This allows the hermit crab to store water and salts that it will need for the upcoming molt.
In addition to food and water, hermit crabs also need a good source of moisture to prevent their bodies from drying out too quickly. They also need a good supply of minerals to help them regenerate their limbs after they shed their old ones during the molting process.
Some hermit crabs have a hard time settling into their new shells, which can cause stress. This can be caused by a variety of things, including an inhospitable environment, an irritant such as sand or mites, a fungus that has taken over the shell or even an unwelcome companion.
Irritation
Hermit crabs can make great pets for people who don’t mind taking care of them. They’re easy enough to keep in captivity and can live for quite a while. However, as with any pet, they’re delicate creatures and something can go wrong that can harm them or even kill them. One of the things that can happen is when a hermit crab leaves its shell and won’t return into it. Leaving the shell makes the hermit crab vulnerable to external elements such as heat and light, and also exposes its soft abdomen. It can also get hurt by other hermit crabs if it is not protected by its shell.
This can cause the hermit crab to feel uncomfortable and stressed, which can make it reluctant to return into its shell. It is also at risk of drying out and being scavenged by other hermit crabs. If this is the case, it is important to give the hermit crab a better home by giving it a new shell that fits it well. The first step is to carefully pick up the hermit crab by the last pair of legs or scoop it gently using a spoon. Then, look it over for any external injuries or other anomalies. If everything looks good, the next step is to sterilize the shell. Boil it for about 15 minutes in dechlorinated water to eliminate any bacteria or debris that may have been accumulated on or inside the carapace. Then, put the hermit crab and shell in a container that’s large enough to fit them both. Keep an eye on them but don’t disturb them because it could take some time for the hermit crab to re-shell.
If the hermit crab is unable to re-shell itself, it could be a sign that it is about to molt. In this situation, the hermit crab should be moved to a quarantine tank with optimal conditions (temperature, humidity, and quite dark) so that it can relax and avoid stress. This will give it the chance to re-shell itself or find another shell that will fit it better.
Environment
Hermit crabs are sensitive to the environment around them, including heat and air. Without shells, they are exposed to these elements and can easily become ill. Shells also help hermit crabs protect themselves from predators. If a hermit crab feels threatened, it will leave its shell and search for another. If the crab can’t find a suitable shell, it will die.
The hermit crab’s natural enlarging process causes it to need to replace its old shell. Its new shell must be larger than the previous one, or it will become uncomfortable. Luckily, hermit crabs have a 15-20 year lifespan, so it’s not uncommon for them to need new shells.
Other reasons a hermit crab may decide to evacuate its shell include parasites, fungus or bacterial growth. These can cause the crab to feel suffocated and make it necessary to depart for fresher air.
A hermit crab can also be bothered by sand that gets stuck inside the shell. It can’t eat or move while this is happening, so it will abandon its shell and look for somewhere else to live. Another common reason a hermit crab leaves its shell is when it’s feeling too hot or humid in the crabitat. High humidity levels can cause irreversible gill damage, so hermit crabs will abandon their shells and seek more comfortable homes.
When a hermit crab loses its shell, it can take shelter in other items like logs, stones or rocks. It can also turn to a clay hideout or other molding materials to create its own unique shelter. These structures can offer a more natural appearance and provide plenty of nooks and crannies for hermit crabs to explore. However, hermit crabs that shelter in these types of materials are more likely to break down due to constant exposure to moisture.
PVC pipes are another popular choice for hermit crabs without shells because they are inexpensive, lightweight and easy to clean. They are also a good option because they have a one-way opening that makes them difficult for predators to attack from multiple angles. However, they lack the aesthetic appeal of natural shells or conch shells.
Preference
Hermit crabs are a lot of fun to care for, and they’re not all that difficult overall. But it’s important to do your homework on them before you bring one home, so that you can understand their behavior and make sure that they’re getting all the necessary care. One of the things that you should be aware of is hermit crab shell preference. A hermit crab’s shell is its main defense, so it’s vitally important that they choose the right one to protect them. In the wild, hermit crabs have a lot of influences that can influence their choice, including limited shell availability, competition for shelter, predation, and varying shell quality.
Studies have shown that hermit crabs have a number of different considerations when choosing a shell, including its size, condition, and shape. In fact, hermit crabs often swap out their shells because they’re looking for a better fit or something that provides more protection.
Researchers trapped dozens of hermit crabs in their natural environment, and then presented them individually with empty, size-matched shells from six different species of calcified snail shells that are common to the area. They found that hermit crabs were able to discriminate between shells, and that their preferences changed throughout the course of the study. In general, hermit crabs preferred larger shells than smaller ones, and they also preferred a smooth surface to a rough one. Shells with large ridges were generally a nonstarter, as they could irritate the hermit crab’s soft abdomen.
Hermit crabs under oxygen stress altered their shell selection by choosing lighter shells that are easier to carry around, suggesting that they’re more concerned with energy minimization than with protection from predation and reproduction. The shift in preference was reflected by a reduction in the amount of time hermit crabs spent investigating shells before moving into them.
While it’s normal for hermit crabs to leave their shells at certain times, it can be a sign that there’s a problem. Whether it’s a molting issue, or they’re just tired of their current shell, it’s important to make sure that your hermit crab has a variety of shells available in their habitat to keep them happy and healthy.