Hermit Crab Stuck In Shell? 4 Clear Reasons And How To Help

Hermit crab stuck in shell many people ask what the reason behind this is. You should know the complete behavior of hermit crabs if you want to keep them. They have special adaptations and hermit crabs change shells with molting process.

Is your Hermit crab stuck in shell? If you worry that due to the small size of shell crabs stuck in shell, you need not worry about this. Hermit crab is a demanding home shopper, and they carefully choose the shell to meet their needs. In many cases, they come out on their own.

In this article, we will discuss why hermit crabs are stuck in their shells, what to do when they are stuck in shells, how to preserve dead hermit crabs, and many other things. Let’s dive into the details of hermit crab stuck in shell.

Why Is My Hermit Crab Stuck In His Shell

When there is a painted shell on the hermit, it might be possible to stick in the shells. It is the most common reason behind the hermit crab stuck in a shell. Due to the painted shell, it became the crab to glue inside. If they are forced into painted shells, there are chances to be stuck inside the shells.

Stay Inside

If you notice that Hermie is not interested in coming out from shells, then it may be due to the favorable condition inside the shells. In the wild, they are very well known for improvisational skills when they search houses by using alcohol and other bottle caps if there is no appropriate housing.

If you notice that the shell is very small and he is acting lethargic, then it means that they are ready for molting. Hermit crabs change shells often. This is a natural adaptation for them.

Painted Shell

Why is my Hermit crab stuck in shell? Crabs are often in the painted shell when you buy them from pet shops. If you buy hermit crabs that have painted shells, it means that there is the possibility of being stuck inside the shells. One of the common reasons behind this is that painted shells are potential crabs to become pasted inside the shells.

Many sellers don’t use the native grabs when they sell hermit crabs. They force the hermit crab to change the natural shell into painted shells. It is because of the improving saleability. If the shell is dry and you force them to enter a painted shell, then there is a chance of being stuck in a shell.

Stuck Inside

Sticking Hermie inside the painted shell can be fatal. When they are stuck inside the shell, they don’t move properly or eat anything. It may lead to an unpleasant death. Forceful pulling out from the shell is not a good option. There are chances of tearing apart during forceful pulling.

If you are going to cut the stuck crab from a painted shell, it is very risky. There are chances of abdomen, eyes, and legs injury. Vets strictly prohibit it because it is not good practice.

Proper Shells

Hermit crab stuck in shell, what are the reasons behind this? If they show reluctance to leave the shells, you should use the unpainted shells instead of suing painted shells. If there are many hermit crabs inside the enclosure of Hermie, then you should provide some kind of many shells that may reduce the chances of a fight with other members that are present in the Hermit crab’s habitat.

You should never use a broken shell, cracks, and holes. It may affect the humidity level of the habitat. Don’t use the painted shells if it is dry or painted inside the shells. May it result in the sticking inside? It would be best if you left them when they are okay; then, they come out from their shell on their own.

How Do You Get A Hermit Crab Out Of Its Shell?

You can soak the shells by mixing the water and bleach of a fifty percent ratio of both. And leave this mixture for days. After several days you can rinse it thoroughly. You can also use the 50/50 water and vinegar mixture, then rinse thoroughly. You can also boil hermit crab shells for about five minutes, then cool them. After that, you can introduce it to the habitat of hermit crabs.

Can A Hermit Crab Survive Without A Shell?

Yes, hermit crabs can survive without shells, but the lifespan of hermit crabs becomes very short. Shell is very important because it provides protection and acts as a barrier around their sensitive exoskeleton. There is no air, light, or heat barrier when there is no shell.

Why Did My Hermit Crab Leave His Shell And Died?

It may happen for many reasons, like when they are going for molting, and they change their shells. It is because of the accommodation of large body size into the new housing. Too heavy, too small, and too large shells result in the changing of shell, and while changing, it can be fatal if there is no favorable environment outside. 

How To Preserve A Dead Hermit Crab?

Dead hermit crab stuck in shell, and then you can dispose of it. If you notice the rotting fish smell from the crabs, you can dispose of it by burying them. You can dig the soil and put the dead hermit crab in it. After that, you should cover it with sand.

Can A Hermit Crab Live Without A Shell?

No, they cannot live without a shell. If there are no shells, there are chances of a short life span. It is because shells act as a barrier against unfavorable conditions. When there are no shells, the chances of getting an issue will be more than when there is a shell.

How Do You Know When A Hermit Crab Needs A New Shell?

You will see the seeking behavior in Hermie when they need new shells. They don’t feel good in the shell, and hence they get stressed due to the small size of the shell. It would help if you introduced the unpainted and dry shells to make them calm and happy. Many hermit crabs are also there that don’t change their shell when they molt.

Hermit Crabs Meeting

They meet each other in a standard way like they meet each other by crawling by pushing contests and feeler fights.   Both pushing contests and feeler fights are normal, and this is not alarming. If they have a feeler fight, then they smell each other.

How Long Will A Hermit Crab Stay In Its Shell?

There are about 4 to 8 days for the whole procedure for average size hermit crabs. In this whole process, they remain buried inside the sand. Many crabs are also there that need less time for this process. It is for small size crabs. Larger crabs need more time to stay inside the shells.

Can A Hermit Crab Get Stuck In Its Shell?

Yes, hermit crabs can get stuck inside the shells when using the painted shell. If the shell is painted inside, this may result in the hermit crab stuck in shells. Dry shell also results in the sticking of hermit crabs. It would be best if you soaked the shell then introduced it to the habitat of hermit crabs.

How To Tell If There Is A Hermit Crab In A Shell?

If you want to know whether there is a hermit crab in the shell or not, then you need to observe the shell carefully. You should see that shell. If it crumbles easily and the shell is hollow, then it means that this is an exoskeleton. It means that they have molted and changed their shell into new ones.

How To Get A Hermit Crab Out Of A Painted Shell?

Hermit crab stuck in shell, what to do? If you want to change the shell of Hermie into new ones, then it needs alternatives. Many crabs are there to upgrade their home if there is a better home or shell with more space and favorable conditions. You can buy the shells online or from the local seller dealing with Hermie.

It would be best if you did not use the painted shells because it may result in the hermit crab stuck in the shell. It may lead to the death of crabs because when they are stuck, there is no proper movement and eating.

First of all, you should never use the painted shell for them. If you buy it with painted shells, you need to carefully separate the shells from them because it may result in legs and head injury. Many don’t want to go into a new shell, so you cannot forcefully do this.  You should provide them spacious-sized shells in which they can fit perfectly.

How Do You Know When A Hermit Crab Is Dying?

When they die then, they start decomposing like all other living things. The decomposition process is natural, and it maintains the nitrogen cycle of the earth. You will notice the putrid smell from them when they are dead. If you don’t smell, go closer to the tank and notice the smell. If there is a rotten and salty scent, then it means that they are dead.

If there is no movement and Hermie is outside the shells, it also tells us that they are dead. It can be because of the molting, but the rotten or putrid smell is the major sign that tells us whether it is dead. You should see if the shell is hollow or not. 

If the shell is hollow, then it means that they are not inside the shell, and they have changed the previous shells into new ones. You can also confirm it by picking the crab then moving it. If there is no movement and the crab is still immobile, then it means that the crab is dead.

How To Get Dead Hermit Crab Out Of Shell?

Remove dead Hermie from the habitat, and then put it in the bag with a zip lock. You can make it freeze because it will make his body stiff. It will be helpful for you to remove the body from the shell, body stiffening results in an easy grip.

After that, you remove the crabs from a plastic bag. You can use the needle nose pliers and tweezers to remove them from shells. It requires many attempts, and crabs come out from the shell in several pieces. You can dispose of them by burying them or throwing them in a garbage can.

What To Do If Your Hermit Crab Is Stuck In Its Shell?

Hermit crab stuck in shell, how does it come out? One of the most important and easiest ways is to leave them for several days and notice whether it comes out or not. It would help if you introduced the superior shell inside the habitat of hermit crabs. They will automatically shift to the new ones.

It would be best if you did not force them to come out from shells because it will result in an injury that may lead to serious complications. If they are stubborn and don’t want to come out from shells, leave them. They will come out on their own.

Final Verdict On Hermit Crab Stuck In Shell

Many reasons would be there if hermit crab stuck in shell-like stay inside, painted shells, and improper space in shells. It would help if you gave them a superior shell that is not dry and painted inside. In this way, they will not stick in the shells.

Hermit crabs stuck in their shell for a long time is not good for their health. Owners need to periodically if their pet hermit crab is doing fine with their shells periodically.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet hermit crab a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️