Like land hermit crabs, marine hermit crabs molt to grow and regenerate any lost limbs. However, unlike land hermit crabs, most marine hermit crabs do not demonstrate many warning signs that they are about to shed their exoskeleton.
Although they could become slightly lethargic, they typically do not slow down much prior to a molt. They do not bury themselves in the substrate, and they do not desire to eat their exoskeleton after it has been shed. Strangely, marine hermit crabs seem to desire to eat any hermit crab's exoskeleton except their own.
The complete molting process usually takes only a few minutes! This is in great contrast to their land-dwelling cousins who take anywhere from one week to two months for a complete molt to take place.
Although they could become slightly lethargic, they typically do not slow down much prior to a molt. They do not bury themselves in the substrate, and they do not desire to eat their exoskeleton after it has been shed. Strangely, marine hermit crabs seem to desire to eat any hermit crab's exoskeleton except their own.
The complete molting process usually takes only a few minutes! This is in great contrast to their land-dwelling cousins who take anywhere from one week to two months for a complete molt to take place.
Small marine hermit crabs can molt within minutes. Most marine hermit crabs do not need to eat their exoskeleton.
