HCA: Hermit Crab Association

This is Big Red. He's a larger medium PP that I've had for about two months. He has moved into a few new shells, and I'm in love with his new choice. I watched him sitting in his favorite spot pulling way out of his shell and then retracting. His leg tips are really worn down, so I think he will be molting soon. Is he just adjusting to his new shell, or should I be worried?


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I've noticed all my crabs do that after they've gotten into a new shell. I compare it to when you get in bed & you're moving around trying to get comfortable. I think it's just how they adjust to a new shell. A lot of times they'll sit there & do all that wiggling around only to realize they don't actually like it & switch again :roll: WARDROBE CHANGE

There might be a little bump in his shell that's bugging him, have you checked the inside? Otherwise he's probably just adjusting hermitnewbie mentioned I've seen some of mine do it and they usually move into a bigger shell, so while his front body might fit, his butt might be too big!

I can just imagine..."Man, I hate it when I realize my butt is too big for my shell. Now I gotta start all over again!" or "Honey, does this shell make my butt look big?"

Or maybe it's itchy. He's like "dang, did I leave the tag in there?"

I've seen then pulling in and out, but he was at it for so long! He's still in the shell after a few days, so I'm assuming he worked out the glitch. I LOVE the shell he's in so I was glad he didn't switch. I'm selfish when it comes to shells. They don't wear the extra fancy ones enough, so I get excited when a pretty one gets tried on!


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One of my medium PP's did that as well. We had recently brought her home from the pet store. She spent a couple days checking out the tank then changed out of her old, ugly shell into the prettiest shell in the tank. I could see right away that it was going to be too small but she insisted. For about three days she pulled out, adjusted herself, back in, twisted around a bit, out, twist, in ... you get the picture She did eventually pick a another, less attractive shell and she had no problems at all with the fit. I think I just have a vain crab on my hands

this very normal going by my few PP's. I watched Hubert do this for hours while he groomed his underside with his little feet.