[krackersmom2]

I usually leave the old shells, ugly or not. I have a couple of shells that are not my favorite, but every once in a while a crabby tries one of them on for size. I figure it adds variety and shell count. Sometimes a crab will go back to it's old shell after it shell shops. I believe it is stressful if you take their home....sometimes they will hold onto the old shell until they are confident with the new one. That way no one else takes it while they are shopping.