White Land Snail Shell

This shell goes by many different names, but for this blog I will call it a white land snail shell. This shell is the most commonly painted shell. It is very low in price even when you get to the larger sizes. The colour varies from white to a light purple colour. I don't know what it is about this shell but it looks stunning when it is not painted.

Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus 3/5 This shell can make a great home for your Indonesian hermit crab. Even though Indonesian hermit crabs prefer heavier shells and round openings this shell is worn by these species as an exception.
Coenobita clypeatus 3/5 Many Caribbean hermit crabs wear these shells as well even though it does not have a round opening.
Coenobita compressus 4.5/5 This species loves this shell because of it's great opening shape. This however can be a problem if you get an Ecuadorian hermit crab in a painted shell and want to have it change into a natural one.
Coenobita perlatus 1/5 The Strawberry does not like this shell, it'll wear many other shells instead.
Coenobita purpureus 2/5 This crab prefers rounder shells then this one, but will still wear it on occasion.
Coenobita rugosus 4/5 This crab thoroughly enjoys this shell. Unlike the Ecuadorian crab this species will switch out of this shell more often.
Coenobita variabilis 2/5 More often then not, the Aussie hermit crab will being wearing this shell because it came in it not because it switched into after being introduced into your crabitat.
Coenobita violascens .5/5 This shell does not have the length that this species likes. It will almost never be chosen by a Viola.

Please leave your comments. It is really nice to get feedback. If you would like to purchase the shells talked about in any of these post or need proper hermit crab care information please visit the links at the bottom of this web page.

The Delphinula Turbo

The delphinula turbo is a purple shell. It is not overly popular shell with any species of hermit crab. There are some myths about it though, some rumors have been spread about it being absolutely unwearable - That is not true, some Coenobita clypeatus and Coenobita rugosus happily make this shell their home. You will often find this shell when you buy shell mixes from craft stores, dollar stores or department stores.

Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus .5/5 This shell has a structure that does not suit this species of hermit crab, however in desperation this shell could be worn.
Coenobita clypeatus 2/5 This shell is not overly liked by this species but iw will still be chosen on occasion. Some crabbers have PP's that love this shell.
Coenobita compressus .5/5 This shell is absolutely hated by Ecuadorians. The circular shape along with the unliked structure, just makes this shell an awful choice for this species.
Coenobita perlatus 1/5 The Strawberry hermit crab will not commonly wear this shell, but it can be selected by your strawberry hermit crab on a rare occasion.
Coenobita purpureus 1/5 This hermit crab will almost never wear this shell but that does not mean it won't.
Coenobita rugosus 2/5 This species is more willing to wear this shell then other species. When you obtain this species as a pet it will often come in this shell type, but then will often switch out if given good options.
Coenobita variabilis 1/5 The Aussie crab does not like this shell, just like most other hermit crabs.
Coenobita violascens 1/5 This shell has a rather long interior which suits this species but it is not often chosen to be worn.

Please leave your comments. It is really nice to get feedback. If you would like to purchase the shells talked about in any of these post or need proper hermit crab care information please visit the links at the bottom of this web page.

The Indivia Murex Shell

This is one of my personal favourite shells for its interesting design and looks. Although this shell isn't extremely popular with hermit crabs, it does add an exotic look to your tank. The snail that creates this shell is a carnivorous snail which lives in tropical seas. If you keep a mixture of small and large hermit crabs together you can get a large one of these shells that can be used for two different purposes. The small hermit crabs can climb the shell and the large hermit crabs can use this shell as a potential home. This shell is also available in a wide range of sizes, so if you find a hermit crab that loves these shells you will be able to find the hermit crab these shells from tiny in size to extra large in size.

Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus 4/5 This shell can make a great home for your Indonesian hermit crab. The shell has a round opening and has a heavier weight which is excellent for this species. It is however not chosen over shells such as the tapestry turbo.
Coenobita clypeatus 3/5 This shell does have the circular opening that this species loves. It is not frequently chosen however, due to it being harder to maneuver and heavier then most other shells.
Coenobita compressus 1/5 This species does not like this shell. The circular opening and heavy weight makes it undesired by this species.
Coenobita perlatus 3.5/5 The Strawberry will often wear this shell because of it's open shape a smooth inside. The drawbacks a strawberry must deal with is walking around with the odd design of the shell.
Coenobita purpureus 3/5 Just like the Strawberry hermit crab this species will wear this shell for the smooth interior but has issues moving around the enclosure with the odd shell structure.
Coenobita rugosus 2.5/5 Although this species seems willing to wear most shells and change shells often, this is a shell it does not like to wear in most cases. Most likely because it may be comfortable but to this species many other shells are just as comfortable and with other shells they can get around more efficiently.
Coenobita variabilis 2.5/5 The Aussie crab does not particularly like this shell, the exterior of the shell that is pointy and jagged makes it to much of a hassle to wear around the crabitat.
Coenobita violascens 3.5/5 This shell is actually liked by this species. Most shells this species like are hard to move around in so it is used to that, and the smooth lengthy interior makes it an excellent choice for your Viola.

Please leave your comments. It is really nice to get feedback. If you would like to purchase the shells talked about in any of these post or need proper hermit crab care information please visit the links at the bottom of this web page.

The Nutmeg Shell

The nutmeg shell is a little white shell, that looks great and is low in price. These shells have an interesting texture on the outside but they are very smooth on the inside. They also have a very interesting shaped opening that allows for a variety of species to make this shell a beloved crab home.

Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus 1/5 Although the odd shape of this shells opening seems to be liked by most species it is not liked by this species.
Coenobita clypeatus 3.5/5 This shell does not have the typical circular opening that the Caribbean hermit crabs like, but for what ever reason they sure like to wear these shells.
Coenobita compressus 3.5/5 This shell is an excellent choice for this species. This shell comes in mostly small sizes just like these hermit crabs.
Coenobita perlatus 3/5 This species of hermit crab enjoys this shell when it is small enough to wear it. This shells bright white colour makes this species stunning red colour stand out.
Coenobita purpureus 3.5/5 This shell is also a great choice for your blueberry hermit crabs. The shells opening almost fits the blueberry hermit crabs claw perfectly!
Coenobita rugosus 4.5/5 This species loves this shell! My three small ruggies have worn this shell around the crabitat at least once, but now only one fits this shells small size.
Coenobita variabilis 1/5 Although I will not have my very own Coenobita variabilis untill next week the crabbers who I have talked to who own this species say this shell is disliked by this species.
Coenobita violascens 3/5 Yup, this species will wear this shell. A viola of mine lived in this type of shell for about a year! This shell is a great choice if you have smaller crabs of this species.

Please leave your comments. If you ever have questions about hermit crab care please visit the list of crab care forums and websites listed at the bottom of this page.

The Tapestry Turbo

The tapestry turbo is liked by the vast majority of land hermit crabs, the smooth insides and opening shapes seems to be perfect from a hermit crabs view. It has a natural beauty and varies in colour from a green colour to brown. These shells also easy to find for small to large in size. There are also sometimes carved or notched, if you are a hermit crab owner that likes to give there crabs classy shells.


Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus 5/5 These shells are perfect for this species. The shell inside is smooth and round the fits this species abdomen very well. The open is also excellent at supporting that huge claw.
Coenobita clypeatus 5/5 This shell gets a 5 rating for this species because this species usually will take this shell over any other shell. If you own this species but have never offered one of these shells test out putting one in, I can almost guarantee you will get a shell swap.
Coenobita compressus 2/5 This shell has a an awful opening shape for this species. However if you aren't offering "D" shaped shells this is one of their favourite "O" opening shells.
Coenobita perlatus 5/5 This species is another tapestry turbo fan. In my experience a Strawberry will take a tapestry turbo over a fox shell.
Coenobita purpureus 4/5 Just like other land hermit crabs this species can't help but switch into the beloved tapestry turbo.
Coenobita rugosus 4.5/5 This species loves this shell as well, even though they like most shells this species will often chose tapestry over the rest.
Coenobita variabilis 3.5/5 This species still likes the tapestry turbo but it isn't their favourite shell.
Coenobita violascens 2/5 All though this species likes the smooth inside, this shell doesn't cater the long abdomen of this species.

Please leave your comments. If you are ever reading a post on this blog and want to know where to get the shells mentioned scroll down to the bottom of the page and there will be some hermit crab shell retailers.

The Haition Tree Snail Shell

These shells are very common an come in a variety of different colours. Just look at the picture, they have multiple colours in stripes that surround the shell. They are also worn by many different hermit crabs. The shell opening is circular enough for Coenobita clypeatus yet close enough to a "D" shape that a Coenobita compressus is even willing to wear them. They are also long enough that they can support a Coenobita violascens long abdomen. One issue about this shell is that they only come in small sizes and sometimes the shell insides have abnormalities that discourage crabs from using them.

Ratings:
Coenobita Brevimanus 1/5 This shell gets a 1 rating for this species. This shell can support this hermit crab but it is seldom chosen by this species because this species is typically larger, the abdomen of this species is thicker and wouldn't fit in the shell too comfortably, and this is a light weight shell and this species tends to prefer heavier shells.
Coenobita clypeatus 3.5 This shell gets a 3.5 rating for this species. This shell is worn by this species quite frequently when this species is smaller, myself I have had several take this type of shell. Not to mention it is readily recognized as a favourite of this species.
Coenobita compressus 1/5 This shell has a pretty good opening shape for this species but doesn't get chosen often. A friend of mine had this species make it's home out of one of these shells, it wasn't much of a shock to me but he was surprised since he hadn't heard of them taking this shell (not many people have).
Coenobita perlatus 1/5 This species doesn't show much interest in this shell at all. I am sure this species will give this shell a chance if it is in need off a shell and there are no others shells that it would prefer around the crabitat.
Coenobita purpureus 1/5 I don't have much information on this shell with this species but if given few other choices I am sure this species will give this shell a chance.
Coenobita rugosus 2.5/5 This species chooses this shell on occasion, I had one take this type of shell and wear it till he was way to big, here is a picture of him:
Coenobita variabilis 1/5 Again I don't have much information on this shell with this species but if given few other choices I am sure this species will give this shell a chance.
Coenobita violascens 1/5 This shell is definitely long enough for one of these species but since this species seldom changes shells it is not changed into often. I have however reshelled one of these species in this type of shell after he was running around naked but after a couple of days he switched into a different shell.

Please leave your comments. Also if you have any situations where a Coenobita purpurues, or variabilis wore this shell please comment about how long it stayed in the shell and other information.

Light, Heavy, or Same type

Okay this is the last post before I start going into rating specific shell types. One thing for you to consider when going out to buy shells for your hermit crabs is what type the hermit crab is wearing. Sometimes hermit crabs can be picky and like a certain type of shell so if your hermit crab came in a green turbo shell you should consider getting one of those shells for your crab, but don't go overboard and get only that type of shell. I like to offer a wide variety of shells for my hermit crabs and on average each hermit crab I own has a selection of seven shells for it to chose from that are slightly larger then their current shells. But as a guideline for a minimum shells to be offered for your hermit crabs I say 3 for small to large crabs and 2 for Jumbos. Another thing I'd like to add as a suggestion when buying shells is should you get lighter or heavier shells for your crabs. I was reading an article the other day which described how hermit crabs feel more protected(less stress) in heavier shells but the energy used caused the hermit crabs to grow less in a molt then a hermit crab wearing a light shell. So you can have a slow growing hermit crab that feels less stressed or a fast growing hermit crab that is more energetic. I chose to offer my hermit crabs as many shell types as I can so they can choose whether they'd like to feel more protected or energetic and grow at what ever pace they'd like.

Modified Shells

Hermit crabs are constantly working. They always have something to do whether it is to eat, climb, dig, drink, molt, find new shell, sleep, explore or modify their shell. When your hermit crab is withdrawn in its shell it might be modifying the shell. Hermit crabs like to perfect the insides of the shells they wear, which is why the modify them. A hermit crab can modify its shell in a few different ways, one way in to remove the insides. Removing the insides of shells makes the shell more comfortable for hermit crabs which is why they work on removing them over a long period of time. I tried to get a picture of a modified shell to show what one looks like but it is very hard to get a look into to the shell. In the picture below you can kind of see how the structures inside of the shell are gone which is liked by hermit crabs. Another way a hermit crab can modify its shell is by trimming the outer edge of the shell to make moving in and out of the shell easier, or make movement easier.

Painted Shells

Painted shells are a very controversial topic among hermit crab owners. I strongly suggest you DO NOT use painted shells, but if you want to use painted shells that is your choice. I feel that the main reason people associate painted shell with dead hermit crabs is because the people who use painted shells do not meet the care level hermit crabs require. I have had a Coenobita compressus hermit crab live in a painted shell for about two years now he is perfectly healthy. So I don't think it is painted shells killing the crabs it is the care or the methods used by retailers to force crabs into the painted shells. When a retailer obtains a hermit crab from the wild they don't come in painted shells, they come in natural wild shells. So retailers feel the need to force hermit crabs into these painted shells to market to impulse buyers as easy to care for disposable pets when that is not the case. The methods used to get crabs out of their natural shells are inhumane and have a high mortality rate. Here is a short video that shows some hermit crabs being put into painted shells; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYZZb-gkUIE this video however doesn't show the crabs being forced out. The torture that these crabs makes me pity them even more then the other crabs that have to deal with the mistreatment in pet stores. So I am drawn; buy the crabs in regular shells or the ones in painted shells they are both being taken from the wild and no matter which one I chose or which one dies the pet stores are going to replace it. One pet peeve of mine is when people get so worked up about their hatred of painted shells they tell people who have no natural shells available for sale to get painted and scratch the paint off. This bothers me because the paint can't get fully scraped off and it is a real waste of time cause natural shells are quite cheap for purchase online. As you can see in the picture below after hours of scratching this shell still has little bits of paint all over it.

Intoduction To: Hermit Crab Shell Selection

Hermit Crab Shell Selection is a blog created to help hermit crab owners chose which shells to purchase for their pet hermit crabs. I am an owner of many hermit crabs of several species and I will use my own knowledge as well what I have learned from others to chose appropriate ratings for each shell discussed. Each post on this site will discuss a particular type of shell and the shell will be given a rating out of 5 for each of several common hermit crab species. The rating shells will be given are 0-5 where a shell with a rating of 0 is a shell that is never worn by a that type of hermit crab and a rating of 5 is a favourite shell worn by that hermit crab species. But before I get into Specific shell types I'd like to discuss two shell topics that are very related to shell selection. These two topics are painted shells, and shell modification.