HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Timon is building his molting cave up against the glass. I looked for some freezer tape to cover it with but I couldn't find it so I covered the window with the pillow case the tank is sitting on. This is to help him trigger the molting hormone and I want to limit the peeking.

I usually will cover it with dark construction paper, and remove it when he finishes

Yeah, that is my plan too. I'll uncover it when he's done shedding and in the recovery phase.

Sounds fine! Good luck with the molt.

I cover windows with pieces of cardboard. This helps prevent the light from coming through. Good luck.


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Well, I think he was just tunneling around because he did not end up staying there.

crabby33 wrote:Well, I think he was just tunneling around because he did not end up staying there.

They rarely molt against the tank glass ever .
although it might have happened to others. In a rare case
When they actually molt you won't even know where they are.
up against glass they are just hanging out and digging. Not molting.

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StarGirlxo wrote:

crabby33 wrote:Well, I think he was just tunneling around because he did not end up staying there.

They rarely molt against the tank glass ever .
although it might have happened to others. In a rare case
When they actually molt you won't even know where they are.
up against glass they are just hanging out and digging. Not molting.

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This isn't entirely true. They can and will molt against the glass.

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Ankutchey wrote:

StarGirlxo wrote:

crabby33 wrote:Well, I think he was just tunneling around because he did not end up staying there.

They rarely molt against the tank glass ever .
although it might have happened to others. In a rare case
When they actually molt you won't even know where they are.
up against glass they are just hanging out and digging. Not molting.

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This isn't entirely true. They can and will molt against the glass.

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Ok I didn't say It couldn't happen either .
IJS in all my years of having the same hermit crabs who are large and healthy now not one ever did this. They have spent a period of time in a cave agienst the glass hanging out but never a molt.
maybe space has to do with it or environmental factors. At the same time IDK how this persons crabitat is set up. And they did say the crab was just hanging around and came up,
so
I have a 70 gallon tank.
My friend in NYC whose crab is coming up on 14 yrs old and lives in a 30 gallon tank here has never done this either.
So maybe some will but it's not a regular behavior IMO and anyone new to having hermits and doesn't know what to expect would find that information useful.
but we are all experts here.
I was just trying to help by voicing my experiences that's all


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I am not going to post a pic of my tank. There was a lot of criticism over the size of it and the type of sub I was using when I first posted it to another group's Facebook page a couple of years ago. But when I said he did not end up staying there, I meant the crab tunneled away. I'm not new to having hermits. I've had this crab for almost 4 years. My other one just recently molted. I'm also not allowed to get them a bigger tank at this time. My parents think I don't need a bigger tank because "my crabs are not important."

crabby33 wrote:I am not going to post a pic of my tank. There was a lot of criticism over the size of it and the type of sub I was using when I first posted it to another group's Facebook page a couple of years ago. But when I said he did not end up staying there, I meant the crab tunneled away. I'm not new to having hermits. I've had this crab for almost 4 years. My other one just recently molted. I'm also not allowed to get them a bigger tank at this time. My parents think I don't need a bigger tank because "my crabs are not important."

Your crabs are very important they are live creatures voice to your parents that they need proper care and space to live. I'm sorry that you are in the situation if your crabs have made it 4 years your doing great. Time for an upgrade. And that's good he tunneled away out of sight. He or she might pop up somewhere else just going on a joy dig. My crabs like to molt late summer in to fall.

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Crabs will molt against the glass, but it's based on the particular crab. They all have different quirks.

Yeah, Timon prefers to molt out of sight. He usually molts every 2-4 months. My biggest crab, Buckbeak, molts twice a year.

LOL. New term: 'joy dig'. The hermit crab version of a 'joy ride'. I love it!

curlysister wrote:LOL. New term: 'joy dig'. The hermit crab version of a 'joy ride'. I love it!

Lol

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