Because hermit crabs do not have bones as humans do, they have a hard outer armor called an exoskeleton. As hermit crabs grow, they periodically shed their exoskeleton and eat it. This process is known as molting.
Prior to a molt, your crab may become lethargic or bury itself for several weeks. Do not disturb him. He will build up water pressure within his body to crack open and shed his exoskeleton. When the exoskeleton has been shed, it will appear as though your hermit crab has fallen out of his shell and died.
Your crab will be temporarily smaller, soft, tender, and vulnerable to other crabs and your handling. If necessary, remove other crabs from the cage so they do not interfere with him. Otherwise, do not touch your crab for a week or two until he has digested most of his exoskeleton, hardened a new exoskeleton, and returned to eating regular foods.
The eating of the exoskeleton is critical, for it replenishes the crab's calcium supply. Should circumstances prevent the crab's digestion of his own exoskeleton, offer the desperate crab dried brine shrimp (who also have exoskeletons), crushed coral, oyster shells, or cuddle bone as a substitute calcium source.
If your crab has molted above ground, spray your crab daily during this time to keep him moist, but do not pick him up.
During the molt process, lost limbs or eye stalks will be unfolded and regenerated. Complete regeneration of a lost appendage will usually take several molts, however. You may notice this the regeneration process beginning before your crab even demonstrates signs of an upcoming molt, as clear, gel-like globulars can often be found developing at the base of a lost appendage. It is more difficult for a crab to molt successfully when he has several lost appendages to regenerate, but it can be done.
The molting process can take anywhere from three days to two full months. Please be patient, and let your crab take as much time as he personally needs!
Captive hermit crabs typically lack beta carotene and are consequently likely to be lighter in color after a molt. The richness of their dark color can be preserved or enhanced through the hermit crab's digestion of foods with beta carotene (like vegetables) and possibly through commercial fish foods designed for natural color enhancement, although no tests have been done to determine the safety of this technique. I have found that the digestion of dried organic Marigold flower petals is most effective, and color changes can be observed after just one molt.
Please remember that molting is a necessary but very risky process for hermit crabs to endure. The inability to properly shed the exoskeleton or the inability to harden a new one can cause the crab's death. If a crab does not have in his body enough calcium, water pressure, or UV light expsure, he has a reduced chance of a sucessful molt.
Prior to a molt, your crab may become lethargic or bury itself for several weeks. Do not disturb him. He will build up water pressure within his body to crack open and shed his exoskeleton. When the exoskeleton has been shed, it will appear as though your hermit crab has fallen out of his shell and died.
Your crab will be temporarily smaller, soft, tender, and vulnerable to other crabs and your handling. If necessary, remove other crabs from the cage so they do not interfere with him. Otherwise, do not touch your crab for a week or two until he has digested most of his exoskeleton, hardened a new exoskeleton, and returned to eating regular foods.
The eating of the exoskeleton is critical, for it replenishes the crab's calcium supply. Should circumstances prevent the crab's digestion of his own exoskeleton, offer the desperate crab dried brine shrimp (who also have exoskeletons), crushed coral, oyster shells, or cuddle bone as a substitute calcium source.
If your crab has molted above ground, spray your crab daily during this time to keep him moist, but do not pick him up.
During the molt process, lost limbs or eye stalks will be unfolded and regenerated. Complete regeneration of a lost appendage will usually take several molts, however. You may notice this the regeneration process beginning before your crab even demonstrates signs of an upcoming molt, as clear, gel-like globulars can often be found developing at the base of a lost appendage. It is more difficult for a crab to molt successfully when he has several lost appendages to regenerate, but it can be done.
The molting process can take anywhere from three days to two full months. Please be patient, and let your crab take as much time as he personally needs!
Captive hermit crabs typically lack beta carotene and are consequently likely to be lighter in color after a molt. The richness of their dark color can be preserved or enhanced through the hermit crab's digestion of foods with beta carotene (like vegetables) and possibly through commercial fish foods designed for natural color enhancement, although no tests have been done to determine the safety of this technique. I have found that the digestion of dried organic Marigold flower petals is most effective, and color changes can be observed after just one molt.
Please remember that molting is a necessary but very risky process for hermit crabs to endure. The inability to properly shed the exoskeleton or the inability to harden a new one can cause the crab's death. If a crab does not have in his body enough calcium, water pressure, or UV light expsure, he has a reduced chance of a sucessful molt.
Ula Wilma is preparing
for a molt by digging far into
the safety of the sand. It may
be from one week to two
months before she resurfaces
again, and she may or may
not molt during this time.
for a molt by digging far into
the safety of the sand. It may
be from one week to two
months before she resurfaces
again, and she may or may
not molt during this time.
