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I read an article about hermit crabs and painted shells. The painted shells are not safe for the crabs, because they are toxic and will kill them. Why do pet stores sell painted shells for hermit crabs if they are toxic? It doesn't make sense to me. I have a hermit crab with a painted shell, and I hope he decides to change shells soon. I would hate for him to get sick or even die.
JOSHUA
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It appeals to kids, it is a way to sell them. I always used natural shells, but because I think they look so much nicer. But its mostly for money, sales, ect.
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I've never heard of this before...that is, painted shell can kill your hermit crab. Natural shells are most likely better, but, if its non-toxis paint (but how would we know that besides painting them ourselves?) and the paint isn't on the INSIDE of the shell, you should be okay. But, I could be very wrong. I havn't done lots of "paint, shells, and crabs" research in my life.
...I look out for you, you look out for me...Just to let everyone know, I am Reptile_Dude...I just changed my username. 
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I think it's in reference to the one company that used to sell the painted shells to alot of the chain stores, they used a China lead paint, and when the crabs entered the water for their book gills and to drink, chemicals from the outside of the shell washed into the water.
But hermits are notorious home changers, and they usually have to try a new house out, so it's fairly easy to trick them into another appropriate sized shell.
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Reptile_Dude (9/5/2008)
I've never heard of this before...that is, painted shell can kill your hermit crab. Natural shells are most likely better, but, if its non-toxis paint (but how would we know that besides painting them ourselves?) and the paint isn't on the INSIDE of the shell, you should be okay. But, I could be very wrong. I havn't done lots of "paint, shells, and crabs" research in my life. If it says that the paint if non-toxic, that probably means for kids. It still might be toxic to the crabs. I'm going to look for natural shells with no paint for my two hermit crabs. When I bought my second crab, I didn't realize that his painted shell might harm him. From now on any crab I buy will have a natural shell. If anyone wants a pet that is easy to care for, I would recommend a hermit crab. I suggest that you put crabs of similar size together. That's what I am doing to make sure none of them get seriously hurt. I also wouldn't mix strawberry hermit crabs with other ones, because they have different requirements than regualr hermit crabs.
JOSHUA
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I've never heard about that before! I've had a couple of hermit crabs with painted shells for the last 4-5 years. Perhaps as some of you mentioned, different places have different paint...?
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The issue with painted shells is that hermits constantly taste and sample most things they come across, including the shells of other crabs. They're very social animals, and are often found clambering over their fellow crabs and "nibbling" their shells as a source of calcium. This benefits the crabs in the wild, but when they're in painted shells, it leads to the ingestion of paint.  That and possible leakage of paint or varnish into their water or substrate makes painted shells a real liability for these critters.
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I was in Petco today looking for a hermit crab, because one of mine died. It was too busy for me to get waited on, but I was able to help someone who was buying a hermit crab for the first time. I was able to help her find the right dry food for the crab, and I let her know that they needed powder and not pellet food. I also let her know that her crabs would need fresh fruits and vegetables. I felt bad because I didn't get a chance to tell her other things before the Petco representative started telling her things that she needed to get for the hermit crabs, such as Zoomed dechlorination drops that don't necessarily work. I was going to let her know that I use natural spring bottled water that is certified by the Natural Spring Water Association for my crabs, but there wasn't time. I also wasn't able to tell her that Eco Earth is the best substrate for crabs, because it keeps moisture in better than sand. I hope that most of the information that she ends up getting is correct.
JOSHUA
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