Got some new friends today!

[abnihon]

Yeah I definitely don't plan to reuse the painted shells but my son like to save them.

It's ok to boil painted ones? Paint won't come off?

[Hermias_mom]

Don't know. I think it depends on the paint. It's really up to you, as long as you feel they're clean. Maybe wipe/fill the inside with alcohol or vinegar or something. Just to sanitize.

[abnihon]

Yeah I was thinking of just washing well in hot water and dish soap.

[ErikRasmussen]

If crabs have other good choices they wont chose shells that have toxins left ove

[Hermias_mom]

Dish soap sounds fine to me.

I would hope crabs would not choose shells with residual toxins in them. I'm not sure my crabs are that smart . Maybe after I've been crabbing for longer I'll get a better feel for how smart they are about things like that.

[abnihon]

Squirt was starting to smell...
I removed him from his shell and buried him the backyard marked with a clam shell so I can show my son.
Probably good my son wasn't here to see him dead.
I did wash out the painted shell and am trying to get the smell out with some baking soda.
My son will be sad - he was one of his favorites
It's a good teaching moment I guess.

[Hermias_mom]

So sad for you guys!!! . It's always hard when an animal you care for doesn't make it.

Yea, make sure you don't miss the inherent teaching moment. Any beliefs you have about God or the life after this, now would be the time to share them with your son. Appreciation for pets/friends/people while they are with you, etc. Families can be a safe place to share our joys and sorrows, and sharing these things, even sorrows, can bring you closer together as a family, and give you a better place to start from when dealing with things that are even more difficult (teenagerhood? ). Anyway, best of luck with that conversation. Who knows, your son might surprise you.

[abnihon]

Nice Easter surprise! Dolphin Crab (who we got in Feb along with Crabbie) just came up from his first molt. Loving his claw color!

[Hermias_mom]

Congratulations!!! What a nice Easter surprise! I agree, colors are gorgeous!