Comparing Apples to oranges

[Careyenz]

Is there a sizing difference when you are comparing an oval or d shaped shell to a round like a turbo? In theory, would the same crab fit into a 1 1/4 oval shell, and fit into the same sized turbo? I recently bought the shell sizer from HCP, and I've been trying to figure out a few things. I had a PP switch this morning from a 7/8" fox shell into a 1 1/4" spotted tapestry turbo. It looked like the fox shell he was in fit pretty well. I'm not making judgements on crab shell choices, to each his own, but the shell he moved into seemed a lot larger. I suspect this ties into Wolfnipplechip's study that she posted a few days ago. I'm just wondering if the livable space is the same.

[DragonsFly]

I'm curious about this, too. Both of our first two switched out of oval-opening shells and into turbos as soon as they got the chance, and have not been interested in fox shells or similar since, but I don't know whether that is related to opening size or shape preference.

[Sitna]

I read somewhere that they actually do prefer the turbo shells...Maybe the opening gives them more space to move their legs around, not sure. But I made sure that I bought mostly turbos to make it easier for them to choose. I've only had my crabs for about 10 days now but one of the already picked the turbo over the others.

[DragonsFly]

They definitely do seem to favor the turbos. . . the problem is, it isn't always easy to find turbos in the size you need; I have some "gaps" in my shell selection that might be filled with fox shells, if I knew how the round-to-oval opening sizes compare.

[Rocky]

I think the type of shell they choose has to do with their abdomens, my viola, moose, came in a long cone shell that fits him snugly, but only because of his long and skinny butt. When he did shell shop, the only turbo he tried on would be much too small for a PP his size, but he liked it.
Same deal with PPs, angel is in a land fairy snail shell, and when I picked her up she seemed to have a fairly long, slimmer abdomen then Pinky (a PP her size in a turbo, who, for lack of a better term, has a fat butt and wears shells that appear too big) also, George is in a way too big shell, but I handle him fairly often and his abdomen also seems to be the right size for his shell, even if his body isn't
I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? I'm positive their abdomens vary in size and length, and when I get a chance to peek, my crabs in oval shells can stretch out further.
Another quick note-shape. Es have flat abdomens, so they lean towards D shaped shells.
I geus that doesnt help with your sizing question.. But maybe with your crabs choice in shells

[Careyenz]

Right, my crabs always have a wide assortment in all types and sizes. This crab (PP) in particular wore the fox shell for about 6 months. He's an XL, and always wore the fox shell, despite having other choices. He's switched back and forth between a couple fox shells, and previously wore an apple murex, so his taste is a little different from most PPs. I added some bigger turbos (1/18" and up for) my new large straws. Henry, my PP, finally took the bite, which I'm glad he did. He was in a 7/8" shell and changed into a 1 1/4" turbo. I just was wondering if the livable space in a fox shell might be comparably larger than a turbo shell. The fox shell still fit him perfectly when he switched. I'm not really asking about crab preferences, but livable space. Does that make sense?

[Careyenz]

I think the type of shell they choose has to do with their abdomens, my viola, moose, came in a long cone shell that fits him snugly, but only because of his long and skinny butt. When he did shell shop, the only turbo he tried on would be much too small for a PP his size, but he liked it.
Same deal with PPs, angel is in a land fairy snail shell, and when I picked her up she seemed to have a fairly long, slimmer abdomen then Pinky (a PP her size in a turbo, who, for lack of a better term, has a fat butt and wears shells that appear too big) also, George is in a way too big shell, but I handle him fairly often and his abdomen also seems to be the right size for his shell, even if his body isn't
I'm wondering, has anyone else noticed this? I'm positive their abdomens vary in size and length, and when I get a chance to peek, my crabs in oval shells can stretch out further.
Another quick note-shape. Es have flat abdomens, so they lean towards D shaped shells.
I geus that doesnt help with your sizing question.. But maybe with your crabs choice in shells

Rocky, I definitely agree with you about abdomen size. The PP I am actually speaking about has the same leg span my straws have, but is so much thinner through the abdomen. His legs are also thinner, giving him more of that spider look. That's why I'm thinking he was sticking to the fox shell, because it's hole looks narrower to me, but I image depth wise, it has a similar living space. That's kind of what I was getting to, but I was having a hard time putting it in words!

[wodesorel]

If he was a fan of fox shells, try magpies (pica). The only crab I had who wore a fox shell for half a year is the only crab who is currently wearing a magpie. (And who changes between all the magpies I have throughout the week. It's really cute. )
.

[DragonsFly]

That is interesting; the one crab that I had that was in a fox shell previously did try on the one magpie I have, but quickly switched back to a turbo and hasn't touched the magpie since. I guess she likes the turbos better, but it is nice to know that somebody else might eventually use that magpie.

[Careyenz]

I've switched a few magpies into the rotation a few times but never got a taker. They are so pretty too, so I always hoped... I've had three crabs wear fox shells: my E that's in rehab right now(still in fox shell), a baby straw who was in it for a couple days, and my big PP, Henry. He's tried on a few fox shells, but nothing else that I've seen for months. He's still in his polka dot turbo, so I'm hoping he keeps it for a change of scenery!

[CrabbyMom33]

Is there a sizing difference when you are comparing an oval or d shaped shell to a round like a turbo? In theory, would the same crab fit into a 1 1/4 oval shell, and fit into the same sized turbo?

According to the shell sizing information from HCP the different shell openings do fit differently. Here is their info: http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/kb_results.asp?ID=17