HCA: Hermit Crab Association

My 7-year old son received two Hermit Crabs for his birthday in February. Yesterday, while showing one of them to a friend, he was pinched rather hard and it startled him to the point that he slung the crab from his hand and broke out a small 1/4" hole in the top of the shell. My question is this. Do we need to purchase a new shell? If so, what size? How do I remove the crab from the old shell? Need answers ASAP.

Yes! Measure the big claw. chose shells as close to that size and slightly (1/4") larger.
You cannot make him change shells. Provide him with options and he will make the choice.
A good time to encourage this is at bath time. they are more active and inquisitive then.
Keep the humidity a bit higher 70-80% to help prevent its dehydration.
I hope you didn't scold the child too harshly. It was a natural reaction, but children need to know that they can and often will pinch, and then what to do without hurting themselves more and the hermies.
Of more concern than the hole, is that the hermie hit hard enough to break the shell. Watch it closely. Accidents like this can cause death by rupturing the internal organs.
Keep us informed.

I wanted to post a reminder that you CAN NOT physically remove a crab from its shell without causing it harm and possible death. Hermit crabs will let themselves be torn in half before they give up their shells. So, just offer the little guy several new shells and let him do the choosing.

i couldn't agree more, don't try to remove your crab from the shell. hope all is well with your son and your crab. your son definitely had a normal reaction. if it happens again just just drop some cold water on the crab and he will let go. we had one a long time ago that pinched my daughter's lip (how did that happen, don't ask :roll: ) anyway, i dropped water on the crab and it let go right away.