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If you have 2 hermit crabs and 1 is molting should you move the hermit crab that is not moving to a different cage?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
yes you should because if you don't the other one will eat the molter
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What would happen if a hermit crab dug a hole in the sand and went in it?
Nothing really. It is probably molting or just trying to get some shade. Look up " What should you do when your hermit crab is molting? " for what to do when your hermit crab is molting. Or just type in " molting " to know what molting is.
What should you do when your hermit crab is molting?
The best thing to do is leave it alone. Make sure you have at least 3 inches of substrate (sand; coconut bedding; etc.) to molt/also known as shedding it's outer skin. Once your hermit crab is finished molting do NOT remove it's previous exoskeleton. Hermit crabs eat their old exoskeleton so their new exoskeleton will harden. Make sure your hermit crab is in an isolated tank (meaning there are no other crabs in the tank) during the molting process. Once your hermit crab has finished the entire molting process, let him rest for a while in the isolated tank and when it's up and moving again you can put your hermit crab back into its normal page
Whats a molting hermit crab?
it means that it is time for it to grow and will change it's shell when it is done. If you see the shedded exoskeleton, DO NOT REMOVE IT because the hermit crab will be hungry and will eat the exoskeleton for calcium. my hermit crab is eating his molted claw right now... kinda wierd though
Do hermit crabs molt?
possibly, but most likely no. the outside should crumble/break/crack, allowing it to come out. Another view: Your pet hermit crab should molt under the substrate (sand, or Eco Earth, NOT calci sand, which hardens like a rock when it gets wet and dries, never use as a substrate. put in their food dish instead). There are occasions when the hermit crab will surface molt, but this is not normal. Most often there is not appropriate substrate available (as in having only gravel, which is NOT hermit crab friendly, they need sand) or the crab is unduly stressed. There are some videos of hermit crabs surface molting on YouTube, if you are curious, do a search and watch those. A hermit crab should never be disturbed when it is molting, never ever dig up a burrowed hermit crab. Molting can take a couple of weeks up to several months. Just keep the tank temperature and humidity in proper hermit crab ranges, change out the food and water dishes regularly, and leave them alone. They need darkness to trigger the molting hormone. Molting is their most fragile time, and they can easily die if stressed or disturbed too much during molting. For more info, visit http://www.hermit-crabs.com or http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com and click on the care sheets link, and scroll down to molting.
Does the hermit crab shed its shell of its claws legs ect?
A hermit crab grows out of it's shell and looks for a new discarded snail's shell. Snails produce the shells and once the snails die the shells become homes for hermit crabs. Hermit crabs molt their exoskeleton Large Jumbo crabs molt about once a month and smaller crabs molt a few times a month. They collect water and food into their shell and burrow deep into the sand where they shed their old skeleton and eat it. They eat their old skeleton to regain nutrients that they lost during the molting process. If a hermit crab looses it's legs (which doesn't usually happen during the molting process) they will regenerate.
When is a hermit crab active?
Hermit crabs are nocturnal, so they crawl around the most at night. But you can catch them moving also at afternoon or dawn. If you want him/her to start moving, try placing food that has strong smell at afternoon.
Do hermit crabs need a towel over their cage?
No, they don't unless there is a problem and your hermit crab has chosen to surface molt. In that case, he needs darkness and the best thing to do is give him a hidey such as a cocohut or other shelter so he can keep himself in darkness. Never ever disturb a molting hermit crab if it can be avoided. if a crab does surface molt, it is vital that you section him off from any other crabs you may have. This includes keeping them from being able to dig down under a barricade, as a molting crab gives off a very enticing smell (which is not an issue when they bury to molt) which may attract other hungry hermit crabs who will steal the shed exoskeleton of the molting crab who needs to eat it to regain strength. The newly molted hermit crab is also extremely soft and vulnerable, and could also become a target of another hungry hermit crab. for more hermit crab information you can rely on: http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com
Is it bad to put a new small hermit crab with a big hermit crab?
no we had over ten hermit crabs in one cage and they were all fine.:) since they are both different sizes you should keep an eye on them but you shouldn't worry because hermit crabs are very social animals.
You are babysitting your friends hermit crab which was living in a small kritter keeper so you moved it into a bigger cage with dirt and stuff and the hermit crab buried itself what should you do?
I am not exactly sure but you should probably just let it be until it comes back "up to surface". It could also be molting. Hermit crabs do this twice a year and will eat it's old skin before you have the chance to see it because the old skin is rich in calcium and stuff for them. After this they burry themselfs until there skin hardens which and take arround 1 to 3 weeks. Do not touch it in this period of time or it's skin will not repare itself well. if after 5 weeks it has not surficed by then it has most likely died. You should then apologise to your friend and buy it a new one. Also, if it has just molted you may be lucky to see it in a period of time for the hermit crab called 'Naked'. This is when the hermit crab walks arround the tank without it's shell. It is most likely molting. Or else it is digging its own grave... (Like mine...) =(
What does it mean when the hermit crab leaves its shell?
A hermit is a person that keeps to themselves and does not live with others. They tend to be loners. The Hermit Crab is named that way because they live alone in a shell that was not theirs to begin with. They find an empty shell and move in. Kind of lika a squatter who moves into an abandoned house away from others.
Why did my hermit crab lose a leg?
well you will have to really do nothing a crab dosent die from simple things in the wild its just a part of nature.
Can hermit crabs eat cinnamon?
No, hermit crabs should not be given cinnamon in their food. Most spices, including table salt, should not be eaten by hermit crabs.
