Artist Aki Inomata from Japan has created a collection of 3D printed shells out of clear plastic for her project, “Why Not Hand Over a “Shelter” to Hermit Crabs?”.

A project started in 2011 called Project Shellter aimed to use Makerbot printers to create perfect little 3-D printed shells, and has successfully made a number of homes for stricken crabs.

DIY 3D printer outfit Makerbot Industries has unveiled an initiative called Project Shellter which aims to harness the efforts of the community of 3D printer owners into designing and printing new ...

Inomata uses 3D printing to make outer shells for the crabs. Her project, Why Not Hand Over A Shelter To Hermit Crabs, explores issues surrounding migration and national identity.

In hermit crab world, shells are a prized commodity. One that's worth fighting to the death for. Well, maybe not to the death. But it's still pretty violent by hermit crab standards.