Is it normal for a hermit crab to switch shells more than once before switching for good?
Crabs will always be on the search for new shells, it is completely normal. In the wild there is a natural phenomenon called a “Shell Convention” where up to thousands of land hermits will gather then they will start trading shells in a cascading effect, where they can find a better fit. But it is normal for hermit crabs to just explore a new shells and try them out for fit, weight, thickness, size and preference before selecting a shell to live in for a while. I go to the craft stores and get a bag of thells that have a majority of turbo snails in it as well as other species of snail shells that have a round opening. I soak them first in a baking soda mixed with dechlorinated water to neutralize any bleach to treat the shells to pretty them up , then wash them and then soak them in a bucket of dechlorinated water to be sure they are safe. Having additional shells will give them peace of mind as well as giving them something to do and they won’t be agression between tankmates as often.
