Molting vs. Digging

[BobbiIngrid]

I've only had my hermit crabs (2 PPs) for a couple weeks and I'm a bit concerned. I haven't seen my smaller one in a while, but I don't know if she's molting or just buried. Is there a way to tell the difference? She didn't eat or drink a whole lot that I've noticed. My substrate is about 3 inches, but I plan to increase that soon.

While I'm asking questions, I'm a bit paranoid that the caves are collapsing on them or something. I've been hearing scratches on the glass and clicking a lot this morning. Is this normal?

[JulesRolyCrab]

Most likely, if they haven't molting w/ you yet, they are molting. If they are, there really is know reason you need to know the difference. She might be down for quite awhile. Do not dig her up, this is a very sensitive time for crabs, they might be injured if you do. As you said, you do need to increase your substrate, to at least 6 inches across, for small-medium sized crabs. This is very important, it decreases risks of molts gone wrong, or of other crabs finding them and hurting them. Be careful and gentle when adding substrate, you don't want to collapse any caves. Here are some links:

Basic care:
viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457

Molting:
viewtopic.php?t=92527

Substrate:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92542

Be sure to check out all of the care guides if you have questions, or ask more questions on HCA.

As for the caves, is you substrate about sandcastle-consistency all the way through? By this, it should hold its shape. Not be too powdery, or to wet. Scratchy sounds whilst digging is normal, whether they are de-stressing or preparing to find a comfy spot to molt. Unless you hear loud chirping for extended periods of time, it is find. But I think you are probably just hear their shells squeaking against glass, or claws, or just sounds of digging.

[Laurie LeAnn]

Very common to hear a lot of digging and scratching.. they also like to do test runs and ha ha I fooled you! They go down will be gone for a week or so then come up for awhile then go back down do the same thing. Might do this 2-3 Times then BOOM... you don't hear from them again in a long time.

[kadynadair16]

Most likely, if they haven't molting w/ you yet, they are molting. If they are, there really is know reason you need to know the difference. She might be down for quite awhile. Do not dig her up, this is a very sensitive time for crabs, they might be injured if you do. As you said, you do need to increase your substrate, to at least 6 inches across, for small-medium sized crabs. This is very important, it decreases risks of molts gone wrong, or of other crabs finding them and hurting them. Be careful and gentle when adding substrate, you don't want to collapse any caves. Here are some links:

Basic care:
viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457

Molting:
viewtopic.php?t=92527

Substrate:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92542

Be sure to check out all of the care guides if you have questions, or ask more questions on HCA.

As for the caves, is you substrate about sandcastle-consistency all the way through? By this, it should hold its shape. Not be too powdery, or to wet. Scratchy sounds whilst digging is normal, whether they are de-stressing or preparing to find a comfy spot to molt. Unless you hear loud chirping for extended periods of time, it is find. But I think you are probably just hear their shells squeaking against glass, or claws, or just sounds of digging.

What's the best way to get your substrate to sand castle consistency?

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