My daughter got a hermit crab yesterday from WalMart. They don't sell extra shells there. I was told that I could go to another city about an hour away to purchase shells, but the man that sold us the crab said we shouldn't need one for awhile. I was going to go this week to get some shells, but I just went into my daughters room and the crab is hanging onto the slits at the top of the little aquarium that we bought him and he's without his shell. Anybody know what I should do or if this is okay?
2007-01-21 16:06:53 · 7 answers · asked by mommyfor4 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If he does need a new shell does it have to be one especially for hermit crabs or can I purchase a bag of shells that look similiar to the one he has now but in various sizes?
2007-01-21 16:17:56 · update #1
UGGGHHHH...Now he's going towards the bigger crab, will he hurt this one or try to get in his shell? I feel like a crazy lady standing in my daughters room with a flashlight watching this stupid thing!!!!!
2007-01-21 16:23:42 · update #2
He's not okay.
1) Go back to WalMart or a nearby dollar store and look for shells in their crafts/floral department that have an opening a little larger than the shell it was in (clean it well with hot water [no soap] before giving it to the crab).
2) Give the crab sand or hermit crab soil (or potting soil [not with fertilizer in it]) deep enough for it to burrow into.
3) Keep the crab in a humid environment - use a spray bottle to spray his tank - they have gills that need to be kept moist to breathe. A few moist paper towels in the tank will help too, if you can't get a shell tonight.
4) Read the following: http://www.thecrabbagepatch.com/ and http://www.hermit-crabs.com/species.html.
I doubt they gave you all the info you need at WalMart to properly care for a hermit.
2007-01-21 16:21:02 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately...with these guys, any old shell will do. Just keep him moist and get him a selection of sea shells to choose from. The shells dont even need to be the same kind that he out-grew....as long as its a shell ! Frankly, Im suprised he left his shell without having a suitable replacement picked out. Ive seen Hermits stuff themselves in tiny shells they cant hope to fit in....just because the right replacement hasnt come along yet!
2007-01-21 17:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by RedHairedTempest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He'll try going back into the other shell, but try to hurry to get some new shells. As long as he doesn't fall or injure his exoskeleton (kinda vulnerable without the shell) he should be okay, so monitor that he doesn't fall and land on something hard.
2007-01-21 16:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by Rocky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is ok for now, but you need to get a few shells (ASAP) a little bigger than its old one so it can move into one. you should always have a few different sized shells so that way you never have this problem.
Good Luck!
2007-01-21 16:20:54 · answer #4 · answered by jazzieloveday 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be fine since there aren't any predators (the only reason they have one in the first place). It would have left its shell if it was too big for the shell. It should be fine until you get another one for it.
2007-01-21 16:14:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's outgrown his old shell, you need to get him a bigger one asap. He will dry up without one.
2007-01-21 16:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by delight0211 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol.
2007-01-21 16:15:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋