HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Okay, so I'm relatively new to the hermit crab world (about six months). I've never had a molter. In fact, I've never had a shell changer until last week, and then I had two change in one day!

But that's kind of my question.

We bought a new little PP, because we saw him at the pet store and he was in this super-tiny shell. We brought him home and within five minutes in the new tank, he had moved to a new shell. Yay! That was last week. Now, this morning, I find that new shell empty on the surface, and no sign of Captain Crab (what my son named him). Is it possible he's gone below to molt? I thought they had to be used to their surroundings, comfortable, feel safe, etc., to want to molt. He hasn't been with us very long.

I suppose it's possible he just switched shells again, and he and his new shell have gone below. I don't want to dig for him just in case he is molting.

But how long should I give him before I go hunting for him? Since he's new to us, of course I don't know his health, but I don't want to assume he buried himself to die.

Any advice?

Never dig!!! Best advice ever! (unless a dire emergency)

Molting can occur at anytime. He could have changed into another shell before going down.

Molting can take weeks, or months.

He could have also just gone down to destress, or dig down for the day. Hermits are nocturnal creatures


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When he comes back up, how do I know if he's molted? Do they look different?

After a molt they'll be super hairy and have sharp toe nails. If you look closely they'll even have eye lashes!

Like GB said, NEVER dig! They can be buried for 6+ months. Flooding or having to move the tank to a mew location (collapse tunnels) is about the only time you'd have to dig.

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