It is very entertaining to watch a hermit crab inspect new shells and try them on! Typically, the process entails three phases.
Phase One:
Before switching shells, the hermit crab surveys his surroundings to make sure it is safe and quiet. Next, he will typically spend quite awhile examining the inside and outside of the prospective shell with his claws and legs by flipping the shell around and looking in it. He will check the shell for its size, shape, cleanliness, and absence of large holes or cracks. If there is dirt or sand inside the shell, he will try to dump it out.
Phase Two:
If the shell is to his liking, your hermit crab will prepare to switch shells. First he will attempt to retain the pool of water in his shell by absorbing it into the pores of his abdomen with a gentle wiggle. Then your hermit crab will attempt to secure both his current and prospective shell in such a way that their openings are facing one another. Then he will quickly move his abdomen from the old shell into the new one.
Phase Three:
Once inside his new shell, your hermit crab will secrete the water he previously absorbed into his abdomen. Then he will begin to test the new shell. He will practice retracting into the shell to see if it is comfortable. He may walk while wearing the new shell, and you may even find him attempting to wedge his abdomen inside the shell as far as it will go. Sometimes hermit crabs will take this opportunity to look back at their old shell. They may choose to clean their old shell and then return to it. Or, they may feel so attached to their old shell, that they move back into it, even if it is less comfortable!
You will likely discover that some hermit crabs are very willing to change shells frequently, and others prefer the comfort and security of an old one.
Phase One:
Before switching shells, the hermit crab surveys his surroundings to make sure it is safe and quiet. Next, he will typically spend quite awhile examining the inside and outside of the prospective shell with his claws and legs by flipping the shell around and looking in it. He will check the shell for its size, shape, cleanliness, and absence of large holes or cracks. If there is dirt or sand inside the shell, he will try to dump it out.
Phase Two:
If the shell is to his liking, your hermit crab will prepare to switch shells. First he will attempt to retain the pool of water in his shell by absorbing it into the pores of his abdomen with a gentle wiggle. Then your hermit crab will attempt to secure both his current and prospective shell in such a way that their openings are facing one another. Then he will quickly move his abdomen from the old shell into the new one.
Phase Three:
Once inside his new shell, your hermit crab will secrete the water he previously absorbed into his abdomen. Then he will begin to test the new shell. He will practice retracting into the shell to see if it is comfortable. He may walk while wearing the new shell, and you may even find him attempting to wedge his abdomen inside the shell as far as it will go. Sometimes hermit crabs will take this opportunity to look back at their old shell. They may choose to clean their old shell and then return to it. Or, they may feel so attached to their old shell, that they move back into it, even if it is less comfortable!
You will likely discover that some hermit crabs are very willing to change shells frequently, and others prefer the comfort and security of an old one.
