Painted Shells - Not So Pretty After All

Painted hermit crab shells not only represent an inefficient use of natural resources but also pose significant toxicity and safety risks for your hermit crabs.

Painting hermit crab shells serves a singular purpose: to attract children to purchase them. Vibrant pinks, purples, blues, gold, and novelty characters are all designed to appeal to young audiences. One of the most effective marketing strategies is the use of color. Have you noticed how, in a supermarket, your attention is immediately drawn to brands featuring bright and striking colors? This tactic is intended to encourage you to choose that brand. The same principle applies to painted hermit crabs. The vividly colored shells capture attention and inspire children to desire them as pets. You might find yourself with a SpongeBob crab or a soccer ball crab; it's all engaging and exciting—until it isn't.

Pet stores often fail to inform customers that painted shells can be toxic to hermit crabs. The paint applied to these shells contains harmful chemicals. Hermit crabs frequently pick at their shells to adjust the fit, inadvertently chipping away small pieces and consuming them. They engage in this behavior because shells are rich in calcium, and the presence of paint poses an unexpected risk to their health. Just as you wouldn't expose your dog, cat, or children to harmful paint, it is equally important to ensure your crab is not subjected to it.

The Distressing Reality of the Painted Shell Process

Hermit crabs, when captured from their natural habitats, are always found within their natural shells. Upon arrival at the warehouses, they are subjected to significant stress and harsh treatment.

Each crab is placed into a device that secures their natural shell and cracks it open. The exposed hermit crab is then removed from the natural shell and is either: 1. Placed into a large bin filled with painted shells, giving them no choice but to select a painted shell or face death, or 2. Inserted bottom-first into a painted shell and then forcefully pushed inside. If the crab does not remain inside the painted shell, there have been instances where they are glued inside, which becomes a death sentence as they will never be able to change shells again.

The experiences these creatures undergo during these two processes are extremely distressing and harmful. The journey your painted crab endured prior to reaching you is one of significant hardship and stress.

Is it possible to remove paint from my crab's shell?

Firstly, it is not advisable. This process would be highly stressful for your crab. Manipulating their shell can be very alarming for them, causing significant stress. The crab does not understand your intention to assist; it only perceives a threat akin to a predator tampering with its shell, which makes it feel unsafe.

Regrettably, the chemicals and toxins from the paint have penetrated the shell, making it unsafe. Although it may not be visible, it is present.

Shells are composed of multiple layers and are highly porous, allowing them to absorb harsh chemicals applied to them. Similar to eggshells and human fingernails, they may not seem absorbent or porous, but indeed they are.

Although your shell may appear brand new and completely safe, the reality is quite the opposite. If your crab ingests the previously painted shell, it is still exposed to harsh chemicals.

Hermit crabs typically do not choose painted shells of their own accord. In all cases involving painted shells, some form of coercion or mistreatment is employed to compel the crab to inhabit the painted shell. Other methods occasionally used include heating the natural shell to force the crab out or drilling holes into the shell and prodding the crab's abdomen with wires or probes until it vacates its natural shell.

What steps should I take if my Hermit Crab refuses to leave its painted shell?

There is no action required on your part. It is essential to provide natural shells in a variety of styles and openings, such as D shape, round shape, or oval shape, and ensure they are the appropriate sizes for your crab. The decision to change shells is entirely up to the crab. It is important not to attempt to force your crab to leave its painted shell.

How to Contribute to the Prevention of Painted Shell Sales

Opt for purchasing natural shells exclusively. Refrain from supporting businesses that offer painted shells. As demand for painted shells diminishes, they will become an ineffective marketing strategy. When acquiring a crab from a pet store, always aim to select those housed in natural shells.

The reality is, natural shells possess remarkable beauty, often featuring stunning and unique patterns. It is unnecessary to obscure their inherent allure.