What does it mean when a seashell is occupied?

An occupied shell contains its original mollusk or has become another animal's home.

Which seashells should I check?

Check every shell, especially univalves or snail shells, to see whether an animal occupies it.

Leave an occupied shell on the beach. Take only empty shells.

Hermit crabs outgrow their shells as they grow and need larger replacements.

Occupied seashell

Check each shell, especially a univalve. Leave it when a mollusk or another animal occupies it.

Look inside each shell, especially a univalve, before deciding what to do.

When a mollusk or another animal occupies a shell, leave it where you found it.

Hermit crabs outgrow their shells and need larger shells as they grow.

This record gives general guidance for checking shells and leaving occupied shells where you find them.

It does not report a local sighting, species, collection rule, legal allowance, handling test, rescue step, or phone number.

What does it mean when a seashell is occupied?: An occupied shell contains its original mollusk or has become another animal's home.; Source: Cape Lookout National Seashore shelling guidance (opens in a new tab)
Which seashells should I check?: Check every shell, especially univalves or snail shells, to see whether an animal occupies it.; Source: Fire Island National Seashore beachcombing guidance (opens in a new tab)
What should I do with an occupied seashell?: Leave an occupied shell on the beach. Take only empty shells.; Source: Cape Lookout National Seashore shelling guidance (opens in a new tab)
Why do hermit crabs need shells?: Hermit crabs outgrow their shells as they grow and need larger replacements.; Source: Gulf Islands National Seashore hermit crab guide (opens in a new tab)