Need shells but need help understanding measurements

[Mrs803]

My hermit crabs are in need of new shells. I have a caliper now that I bought off of the hermit crab patch. It comes with directions but it's still confusing so I figured I would ask on here. I will post pictures of the measurements could you suggest where to buy the next size up for both hermies? And possibly the size and style? Thank you.

[fraksocks]

Ok, while I don't have one of the calipers myself I have reviewed the directions that they have on-line before. If I'm reading it right the crab in the top picture is in a 1" opening shell and the other crab is in a 3/4" opening shell. The types of shells that your crabs are currently wearing are not ideal for purple pinchers so if you wanted to get them the "correct" type of shell you would need to get some turbos (mexican/striped turbos and tapestry turbos seem to be the favorites). A crab in a round opening shell like a turbo will be comfortable in a slightly smaller opening size (I believe that it's up to 1/8-1/4" difference depending on the shell type) than the same crab would in a "D" or oblong shaped opening.

So...after my lengthy explanation I think that if you order some turbos that you will probably be ok ordering a few in the 3/4"-1"-ish range (and maybe even get just a couple a little bigger just in case someone grows a lot during their next molt).

[Mrs803]

Ok I think I will order some in a variety of sizes so they can choose and originally they were in green shells that looked like turbos they might have been turbos but the. They chose to go in the purple one they switched each other's shells it's weird lol I deff need to get more shells though. They have grown quite a bit from their last molt and these are the biggest shells I have and they seem kinda small for them right now. Thank you for your help

[fraksocks]

They actually don't seem too small at all. Both crabs can pull their bodies fully into the shell and close off the opening with their BP and sheild leg (or at least almost in the top pic). I had a crab wait to switch shells until he couldn't even pull his eyes in anymore. It's good that you're going to be getting new shells soon but it looks your crabs are ok for the moment until you get more.

[ErikRasmussen]

It is always a good idea to offer a variety of shells at a variety of sizes but i agree those guys look great in those shells. But i think shells can be fun and i always keep my eyes out for some.