Shell-vis Presley is home and 'All Shook Up' after unplanned visit to Gauteng

A little hermit crab has returned to his home, where we are sure he is telling all his friends about his amazing adventure!

'Shell-vis Presley has made the safe journey from Gauteng all the way back home to Kidd's Beach in the Eastern Cape after he was mistaken for a shell and packed into a family's beach bag.

The Randburg SPCA said the family, who live in Gauteng, had been on holiday in the Eastern Cape earlier this month.

"While collecting shells on Kidd’s Beach near East London, they unknowingly brought home a tiny stowaway, a hermit crab, tucked safely inside one of the shells they had collected. As soon as they realised what had happened, they did exactly the right thing. They contacted us for help," the animal rescue organisation said.

The SPCA said the tiny crustacean, known for feeding on algae, molluscs, worms, and fungi, was kept at a temporary site to ensure he was properly cared for while plans were made to get him back home.

After obtaining the necessary permission from relevant government and conservation authorities, and a few No's along the way, the SPCA confirmed that Airlink agreed to get the sea creature back to his natural habitat.

Randburg SPCA and Airlink confirmed that he arrived safely at Kidd's Beach.

The SPCA thanked all those who followed the tiny animal's journey and assisted in getting him back to the beach.