Molting or....?

This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
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Kel3123
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Molting or....?

Post by Kel3123 » Mon Feb 03, 2020 3:52 pm

Hey, so I have a fairly large crab (shell opening is about 1.5 inches) and it buried itself a little over 2 months ago. The moly’s normally take about 4-5 weeks, but I’m starting to get worried. It’s completely buried so I can’t see it at all. I’m going to leave it alone for a few more weeks, but at what point should I check it to make sure it’s still alive?

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Xenocrab
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by Xenocrab » Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:09 pm

He will come up when he's ready. It generally takes larger crabs longer to molt. I've had some down for 3-4 months at a time. Be patient, don't dig!

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6 babies, 4 Es and 15 PPs.

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Crabby7Crabber
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by Crabby7Crabber » Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:30 pm

Xenocrab wrote:
Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:09 pm
He will come up when he's ready. It generally takes larger crabs longer to molt. I've had some down for 3-4 months at a time. Be patient, don't dig!

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Agreed!
Three PPs (Hoodini, Aaron Burr, and Jubali)
Love my deceased baby crabs George Washington, Zero, Domino, Billy, Eduardo, and Shelly too 🥺

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curlysister
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by curlysister » Mon Feb 03, 2020 4:33 pm

And sometimes they will come up for a few hours and you miss seeing them, so you think they haven't been up at all. Patience is hard when they are buried, but keep waiting for a couple more months!
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

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angelbear
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by angelbear » Mon Feb 03, 2020 6:45 pm

Same. Case in point, I thought one of mine was molting. Woke up by chance and saw it walking around last night. Then by morning no where to be found
Hi, I have been crabbing about 7 now, and these guys have put up alot with my growing pains.
Proud mama of 2 shell babies:
1 e, and 1pp

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Links
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by Links » Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:54 pm

I’m so curious does soil temperature affect molting time?


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angelbear
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Re: Molting or....?

Post by angelbear » Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:52 pm

I dont think so
Hi, I have been crabbing about 7 now, and these guys have put up alot with my growing pains.
Proud mama of 2 shell babies:
1 e, and 1pp

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