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    3D Printers To Help Homeless Crabs

    The world's hermit crab population is short a few shells, but the folks at MakerBot are here to help. Project Shelter is their effort to crowd-source a printable 3D hermit crab shell. Can you give them a hand? Here's what they've done so far.

    Baby Praying Mantis
    by Baby Praying Mantis

    Community Contributor

    Via architizer.com

    A hermit crab and the first prototype shell.

    Via architizer.com

    The prototype is a based on a Cittarium Pica Sea Snail shell. The shape is similar to a hermit crab's preferred shell, but the spiral is mirrored before printing to accomodate the shape of the crab's abdomen.

    Live feed of hermit crabs at Project Shelter

    makerbot.com

    Project Shelter is asking the internet to keep an eye on the crabs in residence. If you notice the crabs doing anything interesting with the printed shells, be sure to drop them a line.

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