Glass Hermit Crabs!?

[SnoopySnake]

Went to a certain pet store the other day..was checking out the reptiles and I noticed they had hermit crabs with glass shells.. I thought they looked cool, but I feel like this may leave them feeling exposed, I think its kinda wrong..What do you guys think about them?

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/IMAG2580_zps50ea762f.jpg

Also I just thought this little guy was so cool :)

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac317/SnoopySnake/IMAG2574_zpsa5875a79.jpg

[Mikoh4792]

I think the ball python feels more exposed

[desipooh.12]

At my local Mall,
They have a stand in the middle of the aisle
Of hermit crabs, its a HUGE glass rectangle with
White sand & colorful hermit shells & hermits In there,
All exposed, I didn't think that was appropriate..
It gave the wrong impression.. Like as if it was jewelry

[SnoopySnake]

I think the ball python feels more exposed

Probably..there were a few more hides in the tank and a few more snakes, most of them weren't using the hides offered, tank was way too small..I really hate how some pet stores keep animals :/

[swolek]

Well, wild hermit crabs will happily use glass bottles and things like this: http://s2.hubimg.com/u/3582129_f260.jpg

So I don't think they care/realize. Granted, pet stores generally keep hermit crabs incorrectly and all...I just don't think the glass shells are a problem :). I'd rather people get those than the ones with potentially toxic painted shells :(.

[SnoopySnake]

Well, wild hermit crabs will happily use glass bottles and things like this: http://s2.hubimg.com/u/3582129_f260.jpg

So I don't think they care/realize. Granted, pet stores generally keep hermit crabs incorrectly and all...I just don't think the glass shells are a problem :). I'd rather people get those than the ones with potentially toxic painted shells :(.

Very true, thanks for pointing that out :)

[Herpophiliac972]

I am not sure how I feel about this. I have kept hermit crabs for five or six years (still have the first) and keep them alot better than pet stores (or at least most of them, still working on a vivarium). I am not sure that they would know or care, as swolek said. Most healthy hermit crabs spend most of their time burrowing, and come out at night, so it should not be much of an issue in good care. However, knowing it is a pet store, they probably do not have the ability to do so. I would err on the side of caution with them, I have a few climbers and escape artists that sometimes fall. Their natural shells (the only kind I use with them) hold up with their shenanigans very well, but I guess it would depend on the type/thickness of the glass. I think my biggest concerns would be comfort (it seems like it would be hard to grip on to), and moisture. Hermit Crabs store small pockets of moisture in their shells (hence why you find them swimming in their water dishes) that also provide them with salt, otherwise their gills will dry out and they will die. I personally would not use them. I don't use the painted shells, either, because they are thinner (the paint eats away at the shell) and they can ingest paint chips. I don't think it is a good idea, but small things like that are why animals that can live for 30 plus years are considered by some "throwaway pets."