HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've just rescued a few E's and they look like they're in shells that are way too small. Do they like smaller shells or is it just because they haven't had any other choice?

With Es it could be either. They do tend to like their shells a little snug and are resistant to changing.

Yeah, my Es seem to wait until they are bursting out of their shells before changing

Es like shells that are lightweight and easy to pick up and run with. PPs stand their ground and curl up into their shells for protection - Es fling themselves backwards and take off running when something scary comes along. Es tend to stay in shells that we would call too tight since they are easier to move in and because they weight less than a larger shell. Es also have the ability to modify the shells they wear by removing all of the innards (the spiral) and making the shell into a base-ball cap like covering. Once a shell is modified they generally don't like having to move out unless they have no other choice, and pre-modded shells are prime real estate and are usually snatched up quickly!

Lightweight shells are the best way to tempt them into something that would be safer for them, but there is no convincing an E to change if they aren't into it! Moon shells (all of the thinner species), babylonia (all species), tonna and tun shells, Mexican Turbos (also known as Striped or Fluctuosus), and sometimes Japanese (Fairytale) Land shells are all shells that Es tend to gravitate to. Even with new shells they tend to like them tight!

The big thing is - don't panic. If you are offering shells that are the proper type, and you have a good selection of shells, and they (and this goes for any crab) still aren't changing, then they know what's better for them to wear than you do. As crab owners we tend to freak out if a shell is "too large" or "too small" (and I am so guilty of this myself!), but if they have options and they aren't taking them, then it's not our fault and there's nothing we can do but wait.

......Well, we can buy more shells... and more shells.... and maybe a few more.... and it might like these shells more...

I hear you! I will remind myself that the crab knows better how to be a crab than me...

...and I will buy more shells! >:D