Hermit crab question!

Just have a quick question about hermit crabs... How can you tell when your hermit is ready for a new shell? And is there a way to made your hermit go into a new shell?

 

I have never been able to tell by looking at the hermits to be honest
but by always having a few larger shells , empty scattered about the sand bed, the hermits decide for themselves if and when they want a larger home

Steve

 

+1 to what Steve said, tho if they can't pull their legs completely in, then their shell is too small.
And you can't make them, nor can you pick the shell they'll go in.

 

+1

 

yeah what everyone else said. If you want your hermit to go into a new shell then put out a few shells (if you have one you want him to go in then put it there) on the sand bed and when he gets too big then he'll choose one and decide for himself. Don't even think about cracking his current shell so he can go in a new one; you will crush his abdomen. Also, I've actually got a successful method for doing this; doesn't work always though. get the hermit and a shell you want him in and just put the new shell in front of his old shell while holding them both in your hands (NOT OUT OF WATER!!). then the hermit might inspect the shell a little bit; mine usually did, but don't be surprised if it doesnt work. it really depends on whether or not the hermit wants to

 

just make sure there are empty shells in the tank on the bottom. you cant make the hermit switch, and my hermits have never switched, but i do find there molts from time to time on the sand.

 

My hermits only moved into bigger shells if they were cleaner and bright white. They must have style.