Hermit Molting

Hermit crab molting happens very naturally as they grow larger. During this progression the hermit crab will shed the hard layer that covers the legs, claws and abdomen which is called the exoskeleton. During the time when the new exoskeleton is growing the crab is extremely vulnerable. During this time, don’t be surprised if your crab buries himself in the sand or seems to not move for days at a time. This is why it’s important to have 3-4 inches of sand in your crabs home.

The hermit crab molting process, on average, happens about once every year or two. There are multiple aspects that will affect how often a certain crab will molt. The younger the hermit crab is the faster it tends to grow. The frequency of molting varies with different species of hermit crabs. Injury is another factor that might come into play, if a crab has lost a limb then the molting process might happen earlier.

It is not difficult for experience hermit crab owners to be able to tell when a crab is about to go through a molt. If you notice your crab has a large appetite than normal or his color is fading at the tips of the claws then these could be signs. You may notice that your hermit crabs are less active during the first stage of the molt. Some pet owners have thought that their hermit crab was ill or maybe even dead. It is common for the eyes to turn cloudy, similar to the way cataracts looks.. Crabs will possibly begin to dig more frequently than they did before. Observant crab owners might notice a sack of water inside the shell, near the crab’s abdomen, which will sustain him during the molt.

Go ahead and leave your hermit crab in his tank if he is the only one that lives there. You might want to provide a separate isolation tank for the crab that is molting if you have a community of crabs. This is a questionable topic that many hermit crab owners find themselves disagreeing about. Some feel that it is unnecessary, and that the crab would feel more comfortable in a familiar environment. There are others that would argue that you should protect your crab from the others throughout this time. You don’t want to dig up your crab if he is already buried in the sand to begin the molting process.

It is never a good idea to touch your crab when he is molting. During this time, you should not try to help him remove the exoskeleton or give him a bath, because you may inadvertently cause irritation or infection. Go here for more information on a hermit crab bath. The only part you play in this natural process is to provide your crab will enough water and food.

The molting process can take anywhere from a couple weeks for a few month to be completed. You crab will be just as active as before once he emerges following the molting process. You crab should consume his old exoskeleton because it is high in calcium and other nutrients that he needs. Hermit crabs require extra calcium when they are finished with the molting process. Hermit crabs will have to leave their old shell at this time to find a larger shell that will fit their new, bigger exoskeleton. After the hermit crab has finished molting your crab will need to pick a new shell so you should provide him with several options.

For more information on hermit crabs please visit http://hermitcrabcarecenter.com.