HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I already chatted about this but thought that it might be better to make a topic of it. I was checking on my crabs today (I often forget to) and one of my crabs had come up after a long burial and has a missing limb and the other one (on the left side) is covering his other legs and pinchers. I'm worried it may be malnutrition. Can he be healed or is this permanent?

Offering a proper diet is key to a hermit crabs health. Sometimes depending on their diet they may have difficulty shedding the exo on one leg and will opt to just drop that leg. Hermit crabs can regenerate new legs and claws, even eyes! Be sure to offer plenty of healthy foods as called out in our nutrition guide, and on our safe food lists.

Nutrition Guide
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92554

Safe Food List
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557

Thanks!

Regenerating limbs requires a lot of energy. Be sure to provide plenty of protein and calcium to supply new growth.


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Less likely diet, and more likely just a bad molt. If it doesn't go absolutely perfectly, or if they get disturbed at exactly the wrong moment (even a loud bang that causes them to retract into their shell) - it can cause extreme deformities while the limbs are still wet and pliable, that are then permanent until the next molt. Once hardened, they will often sacrifice the worst of the deformed limbs in order to have normal movement.

Just like wodesorel said. Last year we rescued a single strawberry that had a deformed leg. When she tucked inside her shell the leg would stick straight out. Surprisingly she never dropped the leg. After her first molt with us her leg was back to normal! She has molted for us two maybe three times so far.

If you are interested here's the link to when we rescued her!
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=119208