Occassionally hermit crabs will leave behind their shells, exposing their soft moist abdomens--putting them at risk for death by suffocation or for attack by other crabs.
Hermit crabs leave their shells for the following reasons:
1. If they are dehydrated, they will exit their shell in a desperate search to moisten their abdomen.
2. If another hermit crab has "bullied" them out of their shell, they will leave it behind and hope to find another.
3. If a hermit crab has completely outgrown a shell to the point of experiencing pain, he may choose to leave his shell to find another.
4. If a piece of sharp gravel (or something similar) has accidentially lodged itself deep within the shell, the hermit crab will be forced to leave it.
5. Sick or stressed crabs will often leave their shell for unknown reasons.
If you discover a nude hermit crab in your tank, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
1. Gently pick up the crab (without squeezing the abdomen) and carefully bathe him in freshwater. This will instantly moisten the gills and the blood vessels on the abdomen, allowing the hermit crab to sufficiently breathe. It will also remove any extra items that may be sticking to the abdomen, such as sand.
2. Gently lower the hermit crab (abdomen first) into a clean and suitable shell. Do this slowly so that the hermit crab can uncoil his abdomen and properly insert it into the spires of the shell.
3. If he STILL refuses to wear a shell, place him in a humid isolation tank with a varity of shells from which to choose. In time, his stress level will decrease and he should be able to select a shell that he likes. The isolation tank should NOT contain sand, gravel, or any other kind of substrate so that none sticks to the crab's abdomen.
Hermit crabs leave their shells for the following reasons:
1. If they are dehydrated, they will exit their shell in a desperate search to moisten their abdomen.
2. If another hermit crab has "bullied" them out of their shell, they will leave it behind and hope to find another.
3. If a hermit crab has completely outgrown a shell to the point of experiencing pain, he may choose to leave his shell to find another.
4. If a piece of sharp gravel (or something similar) has accidentially lodged itself deep within the shell, the hermit crab will be forced to leave it.
5. Sick or stressed crabs will often leave their shell for unknown reasons.
If you discover a nude hermit crab in your tank, IMMEDIATELY do the following:
1. Gently pick up the crab (without squeezing the abdomen) and carefully bathe him in freshwater. This will instantly moisten the gills and the blood vessels on the abdomen, allowing the hermit crab to sufficiently breathe. It will also remove any extra items that may be sticking to the abdomen, such as sand.
2. Gently lower the hermit crab (abdomen first) into a clean and suitable shell. Do this slowly so that the hermit crab can uncoil his abdomen and properly insert it into the spires of the shell.
3. If he STILL refuses to wear a shell, place him in a humid isolation tank with a varity of shells from which to choose. In time, his stress level will decrease and he should be able to select a shell that he likes. The isolation tank should NOT contain sand, gravel, or any other kind of substrate so that none sticks to the crab's abdomen.
A naked crab needs your help immediately! With some careful handling, an immediate bath in freshwater, and a gentle lowering into a clean shell, this crab can be back where she needs to be!
