Do Hermit Crabs molt???

mgochay

Member
I have a red legged Hermit Crab and I am wondering if they molt like shrimp do? Or do they have their own "thing" they do?
 

mgochay

Member

Originally posted by clayton:
Yes the y do. They should also be provided with a mix of empty shells they can use.

Is it characterized by them sitting in the same spot for a long period of time. Mine has been sitting in the same spot for about a day and a half now. How long does it take them to do it?
 

dennish

Member
I just had two of my three Hermits molt, and if I wasn't able to do a head count, I would have sworn they were dead! Much different from the fiddler crab I have who molted an empty looking shell. Check out the pictures on my website listed in my profile. (click the little index card icon above this reply).
-Dennis
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Yes, they definately molt, and if you not careful, you might mistake the "molt" for a dead crab!
They also grow [fast] and therefore need larger shells to move into, be sure to always supply your hermit with a spare shell that is just slightly larger than his current shell.
 

mgochay

Member
Thank you all. Although I have seen no evidence of his "shell"....hmmm it's kinda strange cuz he was just staying in the same spot for a couple of dayz, wouldn't hardly eat.. (before he was very active, moving all over the place) and so I was wondering if he was molting or what. Anyway he is back to his normal active self and i have seen no sign of an "old" him. BTW a few days after I got him I put in a new shell and he moved into it that night so I don't think he needs a new "home" as he can "suck himself all the way into his current home. Hope that makes sense
 
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