Save The Shellbugs SE
🟡 Updated this year⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 4.6% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #43 of 137 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
This mod allows you to carefully harvest some chitin from shellbug shells without hurting/killing them. Simply walk up close to a shellbug and activate it and you will receive 3 Shellbug Chitin. This can be repeated once every 10 days, and you must leave the area and come back for it to work. I've also included a '+2' version that adds two more Shellbugs in Skyrim.
You can find the vanilla Shellbugs in the following locations:
Forgotten Vale Cave
0coSwW0YDec
Sharpslope Cave (both entrances)
POGR8-JdbOE
You can find the two additional shellbugs, if using the '+2' version, in these locations:
Darkfall Cave
hIUBSFiaE3E
Blackreach
EHYM8KpdwIU
Special thanks to ReDragon2013 for helping me out with the script! :)
Save The Shellbugs SE is a gameplay mod for Skyrim Special Edition that lets you harvest chitin from shellbugs without killing them. It adds a repeatable activation that yields 3 chitin every 10 days, plus an optional version with two extra shellbugs. Requires a new game.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Ethical harvesting for players who want to avoid killing creatures (427 endorsements)
- Simple activation mechanic—just walk up and activate, no complex menus
- Optional +2 version gives more chitin sources for crafting needs
⚠️ Cons
- Requires a new game, so you can't add it to an existing playthrough without restarting
- 10-day cooldown and area reset might feel tedious for players who need chitin quickly
- Only affects shellbugs—if you're looking for broader creature-friendly changes, this is niche
For Skyrim players who prefer non-lethal gameplay and want a steady chitin supply without hunting shellbugs. Also great for roleplayers who want to avoid unnecessary creature deaths. Skip if you're fine with killing shellbugs or want a more comprehensive overhaul.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Since it requires a new game, plan to install this before starting a fresh playthrough.
- Remember to leave the area and come back after 10 days to reset the shellbugs for harvesting.
- If you use the +2 version, check Darkfall Cave and Blackreach for the extra shellbugs—they're marked on your map.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- Kyndra72
- Version
- 1.2
- Downloads
- 9,319
- Endorsements
- 427
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 12/28/2018
- Updated
- 12/3/2025
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Skyrim →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
🎮 Need cheat codes or console commands? Check ur gaming wiki for Skyrim commands, item IDs, and more.
Keep browsing — more Skyrim mods await