Strange situation

[eloise13]

I've noticed I have a little window. In the centre is a crab. It's sitting in the shell, but I'm still able to see its legs, it's perfectly intact, but pretty pale. It doesn't react to me coming close to it. I haven't seen it move at all, but sometimes when I check on it, it is in a different position.

On close inspection, I can see the back of another shell. It's a teeny Babylonian. I have at least 6 crabs in them, probably more with heaps of spares...

I'm really perplexed. I don't really want to dig them up unless I have to, but what do you think of it?

Is the crab molting?
Did it bring a shell with it?
Are there two crabs molting together?

[ceo1282]

I don't know enough to really know, it may be the exoskeleton. From what i've learned so far, digging them up is probably not your best option. You may want to try posting this in the emergency section so you can get better & faster responses.
I also have a quick question...i noticed your signature says you have micros & teenies. I'm wondering where/how do you get micros &/or teenies? I'd love to get a few
Good luck w/your molter!

[eloise13]

He's moved again.

Yeah, I try to let my hermit crabs go as undisturbed as possible.


Teenies are really easy to find here. Aussies are normally slower growers and smaller then other crabs.

[CrabbyMom33]

When mine leave a window I've had the same thing where they don't react to be coming up to the glass. As far as the other shell, since you have a window you have the advantage of being able to keep an eye on things. Unless you see that it is another crab after the molter I would leave the molter alone. Shells end up falling into molting tunnels an it could just happen to be under the substrate.

hermitnewbie2011 - elois13 is in Australia, so probably can't help out on where to get them in the US. Once in a while you will see one in a pet store. If you want a micro just keep your eye out.

[eloise13]

that's what I was leaning towards. Their shells are on a little plate thingy close to where the crab is, and they like to bury shells. I just wanted to see what others thought of it XD

[eloise13]

I looked at him again, and he was moving around and reacted to me, so everything is all good