Common Name - Babylonia
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Babyloniidae
GENUS: Babylonia
SPECIES: Babylonia Zeylanica, Babylonia Spirata, Babylonia Areolata, Babylonia Zeylanica White, Babylonia Spirata White
SHELL OPENING: Oval
WEIGHT: Medium
SIZING: Small - Large
A widely favored gastropod shell, this type is highly sought after for captive hermit crabs. Known for its sturdy construction without being overly heavy for the crab, it is an excellent choice for owners seeking natural shells for their hermit crabs.
Common Name - Natica
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Naticidae
GENUS: Natica
SPECIES: Natica Lineata, Natica Tigrina, Natica Vitellus Dark, Natica Vitellus Pale, Natica Vitellus White
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Light-Medium
SIZING: Small - Extra Large
Natica shells are a popular choice for captive hermit crabs due to their distinctive D-shaped opening. These shells, varying from light to medium in weight depending on the species, are particularly favored by hermit crabs that prefer a shorter shell with a D-shaped entrance.
Common Name - Whale Eye/Moon Snail/Polinicies
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Naticidae
GENUS: Neverita
SPECIES: Neverita Didyma, Polinicies Didyma, Polinicies Mamilla
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Light-Medium
SIZING: Tiny - Jumbo
Whale Eye shells are excellent options for larger hermit crabs. These shells are available in a wide range of sizes, from small to jumbo, making them one of the most versatile shell choices for pet hermit crabs.
Common Name - Tapestry Turbo, Green Turbo, Polished Turbo
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Turbinidae
GENUS: Turbo
SPECIES: Turbo Reevi, Turbo Brunneus, Turbo Imperialis, Turbo Petholatus, Turbo Argyrostomus, Turbo Chrysostomus, Turbo Sarmaticus
SHELL OPENING: Round
WEIGHT: Medium-Heavy
SIZING: Small - Jumbo
Turbo shells are generally not favored among Australian species due to their substantial weight. Nevertheless, the Tapestry Turbo (Turbo reevi) is notably popular among captive hermit crabs in Australia, particularly for those hermit crabs that prefer a round shell opening.
Common Name - Japanese Land Snail
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Achatinidae
GENUS: Lissachatina
SPECIES: L. fulica
SHELL OPENING: Oval
WEIGHT: Light-Medium
SIZING: Medium - Jumbo
The Japanese Land Snail shell is a favored choice for larger hermit crabs because of its lightweight nature and oval opening. However, its fragile construction is a notable drawback, as it is prone to breaking easily.
Common Name - Pila Ampullacea, Apple Snail, Pila
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Ampullariidae
GENUS: Pila
SPECIES: Pila Ampullacea, Pila Globosa, Pila Scutata
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Light
SIZING: Medium - Jumbo
The most prevalent shell for extra-large crabs available in pet stores, often painted, can be more challenging to locate in its natural form in Australian stores. Their availability in sizes ranging from medium to jumbo makes them a highly popular choice and an essential addition to any crab owner's shell collection.
Common Name - Rapana
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Muricidae
GENUS: Rapana
SPECIES: Rapana Rapiformis, Rapana Bulbosa
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Medium
SIZING: Large - Jumbo
Rapana shells are not a widely favored choice among our Australian species due to their awkward shape and heavy shell. However, some larger crabs have been known to accept them.
Common Name - Pheasant, Painted Lady, Australian Pheasant
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Phasianellidae
GENUS: Phasianella
SPECIES: Phasianella Australis
SHELL OPENING: Oval/D Shape (teardrop)
WEIGHT: Medium
SIZING: Tiny - Large
Pheasant shells, akin to the Babylonia Zeylanica, feature an elongated spiraled end with a distinctive opening that falls between an oval and a D shape, often described as teardrop-shaped. Their patterns are exceptionally striking, though they can be challenging to find in Australian retail outlets.
Common Name - Melongena, Conch
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Melongenidae
GENUS: Melongena
SPECIES: Melongena Bispinosa, Melongena Corona, Melongena Pugilina, Melongena Melongena.
SHELL OPENING:
WEIGHT: Medium-Heavy
SIZING: Small - Extra Large
The weight of Melongena shells varies depending on the species. Some shells are relatively light, while others are too heavy for our species to carry, making them an unpopular choice for us.
Common Name - Whelk, Tranquebar Goblet
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Pisaniidae
GENUS: Cantharus
SPECIES: Cantharus Tranquebaricus,
SHELL OPENING: Oval
WEIGHT: Medium
SIZING: Small - Medium
These shells are favored by small crabs due to their medium weight and attractive openings. However, their size is restricted to small.
Common Name - Nerita, Nerite
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Neritidae
GENUS: Nerita
SPECIES: Nerita Patula, Nerita Undulata, Nerita Tessellata, Nerita Costata (over 20 different species)
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Medium
SIZING: Tiny - Medium
Nerita shells are frequently utilized by wild hermit crabs, not due to their comfort, but because of their availability. These shells are awkwardly sized and provide limited space for the hermit crab's abdomen. Their prevalence among both wild and pet store hermit crabs is largely attributed to their widespread availability in natural habitats, often leaving them as the sole option.
Common Name - Tonna, Giant Tun
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Tonnidae
GENUS: Tonna
SPECIES: Tonna Tessellata, Tonna Cepa, Tonna Galea, Tonna Perdix, Tonna Allium, Tonna Dolium, Tonna Sulcosa
SHELL OPENING: D Shape
WEIGHT: Light
SIZING: Large - Jumbo
Although these shells are not the most preferred choice for jumbo hermit crabs, they are available in very large sizes, making them an excellent addition to a tank housing jumbo hermit crabs. Some Australian hermit crabs actually favor these lightweight shells due to their large, spacious openings.
Common Name - Land Snail
CLASS: Gastropoda
FAMILY: Camaenidae
GENUS: Helicostyla
SPECIES: Helicostyla Rufogaster, Helicostyla Okadai, Helicostyla Ticaonica, Helicostyla Dactylus, Helicostyla Leucophaea, Helicostyla Pithogaster, Helicostyla Faunus.
SHELL OPENING: Round/Oval
WEIGHT: Light
SIZING: Small - Medium
These shells are favored for small to medium hermit crabs due to their lightweight nature.
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