Post by Rachel on Jul 25, 2013 16:04:43 GMT
Many new keepers (and the odd long term keeper) are not aware of the long running campaign against painted shells by concerned hermit crab owners around the world. Painted shells represent two main issues that mean we take a firm stance against them.
Crabs forced into painted shells
This is a particularly emotive issue in the hermit crab world. In poor countries like Indonesia people sometimes support themselves by gathering hermit crabs for the pet trade and unfortunately due to the strong market for them aimed at children, they sometimes take it a step further and force crabs into garish painted shells. There is already an immediate issue with this, hermit crabs are very strongly effected by stress and the methods such as the old shell being smashed, the use of force or extreme temperatures put them in physical danger and the danger of already stressed crabs being further weakened. Being forced out of your home and into a new one is undeniably cruel, but while it is easy to condemn the people scraping a living like this the market would not exist without people buying them. As heartbreaking as it is discussing your issues politely with the shops and only buying natural shelled crabs if you choose to buy, boycotting stores that sell them and encouraging others to politely raise the issue too is the only way to make even a small difference. Supply and demand means that shops will restock what sells.
Please note this video, although not showing the full process, may be upsetting to view.
The paint itself
There are a few issues with the paint on these shells.
Alternatives such as polished or carved shells are readily available and naturally beautiful. Nature has provided an enormous range of stunning shells in so many colours and patterns, there is bound to be something that both appeals and will keep your crabs happy and healthy.
Crabs forced into painted shells
This is a particularly emotive issue in the hermit crab world. In poor countries like Indonesia people sometimes support themselves by gathering hermit crabs for the pet trade and unfortunately due to the strong market for them aimed at children, they sometimes take it a step further and force crabs into garish painted shells. There is already an immediate issue with this, hermit crabs are very strongly effected by stress and the methods such as the old shell being smashed, the use of force or extreme temperatures put them in physical danger and the danger of already stressed crabs being further weakened. Being forced out of your home and into a new one is undeniably cruel, but while it is easy to condemn the people scraping a living like this the market would not exist without people buying them. As heartbreaking as it is discussing your issues politely with the shops and only buying natural shelled crabs if you choose to buy, boycotting stores that sell them and encouraging others to politely raise the issue too is the only way to make even a small difference. Supply and demand means that shops will restock what sells.
Please note this video, although not showing the full process, may be upsetting to view.
The paint itself
There are a few issues with the paint on these shells.
- There have been instances of crabs literally glued by the paint into the shell as it had not dried properly.
- The varnishes and paint can be picked off or may start to flake/peel in humidity. Hermit crabs literally pick at and taste everything from substrate to their own shells and in such tiny bodies we have no idea what harm these substances cause. Chemicals on paints unsuited to the environment may also begin to leech out.
- Paint on the shell lip and inside may rub or be otherwise uncomfortable on the crab.
- They are deliberately aimed at children to encourage impulse buying, usually with no or poor care information, gravel and tiny kritter keeper setups meaning a short, miserable life for the crabs or wasted money if the parents do the research later and have to replace it all.
Alternatives such as polished or carved shells are readily available and naturally beautiful. Nature has provided an enormous range of stunning shells in so many colours and patterns, there is bound to be something that both appeals and will keep your crabs happy and healthy.
Hellooooo
