Where Do Hermit Crab Shells Come From?
Hermit crab shells were once grown by gastropods in the ocean as well as in lakes and rivers, and on land. Gastropods are snails that have a soft body requiring a hard shell to protect it; their shells grow as they grow. Once they die or get eaten, their empty shell becomes available and a potential new home for hermit crabs.
Hermit crabs require a hard shell to protect their soft bodies and vulnerable abdomen (similar to gastropods), but cannot create or grow hard shells themselves. Gastropod shells are nature’s perfect solution for hermit crabs, as long as their abandoned shells can be found in the right shape and size for the hermit crab in need.
Hermit Crab Shells come from Ocean Snails
Ocean gastropods are soft-bodied snails like conch, turbo snails, periwinkles and murex. These are some of the most common shells that hermit crabs can be found wearing in their natural habitats. But the types of shells found, and ultimately worn by hermit crabs in the wild, depends on geography.
In Florida and the Caribbean, hermit crabs are most commonly found wearing whelk and conch shells. In the Pacific Northwest, baby hermit crabs are usually seen wearing periwinkle shells. Turbos, also known as turbans, can be found off the coasts of Australia, Mexico and Madagascar. There are hundreds of types of turbo snails, and it’s easy to find these shells for sale, for hermit crab pets.
Which Gastropod Shells are Suitable for Hermit Crabs?
Not all gastropod shells are suitable for hermit crabs, and there are certain types that they prefer. However, in certain parts of the world, suitable shells can be very difficult for hermit crabs to find as they are often taken by tourists and unethical shell hoarding enterprises.
When suitable empty shells aren’t available, hermit crabs have been known to use land snail shells like the shells of apple snails, or even discarded trash they find like soda bottle caps. If they don’t protect their soft abdomen with hard protection of some kind, they will die.
Shell types in the wild depend on geography
Ocean mollusks like conch, turbo snails, periwinkles and murex are common shells that hermit crabs can be found wearing. But the types of shells found, and ultimately worn by hermit crabs in the wild, depends on geography.
In Florida and the Caribbean, hermit crabs are most commonly found wearing whelk and conch shells. In the Pacific Northwest, baby hermit crabs are usually seen wearing periwinkle shells. Turbos, also known as turbans, can be found off the coasts of Australia, Mexico and Madigascar. There are hundreds of types of turbo snails, and it’s easy to find these shells for sale, for hermit crab pets.
Most common types of Sea Snails (gastropods) that make good Hermit Crab Shells
- Turbo Snails
- Conch
- Murex
- Periwinkle
- Babylonia
Tree Snails
Tree snails grow shells that can also be suitable for hermit crab use. These tree snails are often found in the same areas as hermit crabs, most commonly in mangroves and near shorelines. If ocean shells aren’t available, it’s common to find hermit crabs using these tree snail shells.
Tree snail shells are generally much lighter than ocean shells. This means the hermit crabs may not feel as secure inside. Their main goal in life is to protect the soft abdomen area that hides inside the shell. If the shell light or weak, or doesn’t fit correctly the hermit crab’s survival is at stake.
Hermit Crab Shell Collection
If you have hermit crabs, you should have a hermit crab shell collection. Keep the shells they outgrow, and make sure to have larger shells they’ll eventually need. Having extra shells on hand is smart, but they do take up space.
If space is a challenge, consider using an attractive glass bowl or vase to keep your extra hermit crab shells in, and display it in your home proudly.
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API