Changing shells, then back?

[nailartjess]

Tonight I had the great pleasure of getting to see 2 of my hermies change shells, it was so interesting and amazing. I not long checked on my crabs to see how they were going and have noticed they have gone back to their old shells, is this normal? Does that mean they didnt like the shell they chose and will choose a different one, after watching one of my crabs come out of his shell I am suprised he got back into it.

[alli'smommy]

They love to "try on" shells!! Provide lots of choices and they will shop around until they find one they like!! Mine go through spells of constantly changing to not changing at all forever!

[MoribundMaverick]

Changing shells is fine =]

I had a crab that constantly changed between EVERY shell that was her size! My room mate would joke around and say that she learned from me- she could never decide what clothes she wanted to wear. =P

I don't know why they do that... I've also heard that they change shells depending on the thickness. Like if it's warm one day they might change into a thinner shell, and then when it cools back off they'll switch back into their thicker shell. I don't know if that's true, though.

[nailartjess]

wow the thickness theory sounds interesting, I am now wondering whether I should put even more shells in their tank, I got a couple 100 from the local beach and boiled them so I have plenty, or wil htey be happy with about a dozen or so in their tank to choose from

[HermitPaws]

Id put in however many U can fit in the tank and still have room to crawl

[alli'smommy]

I put several in-all different sizes, shapes, and types. Rotate them often-they seem to enjoy change!!

[silver616]

I keep several of each size (per crab) in the tank and swap them out...b/c as previously stated they do like some variety. The same goes with the tank arrangement, I periodically change mine a little bit to "spice it up"

[alli'smommy]

Originally Posted by silver616

The same goes with the tank arrangement, I periodically change mine a little bit to "spice it up"

I change mine often, too!! They seem to love the "new" look!!!

[Hildegarde]

It's not unusual that a crab will change back into his old shell.- but there are times when they're not too confident about their new shell - it's called buyers' remorse. I watched Bwana change into a new shell. But I noticed that he kept one whole leg in his old shell for over 6 hours before he left Ye Olde Shell Shoppe with his new, spiffy, shell.