HCA: Hermit Crab Association

After reading about Carol and her spectacular ways, I'm wondering about the slate she put in the tank for molting. There wasn't too much detail given, any idea what this process is about? Had anyone tried it? Also, how would the HC know to pick that one spot? So many questions!

I was curious as well, if for no other reason than simply curiosity’s sake! Anybody else know more?


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My understanding is that she dug the hole for them and then put them in it and covered them with the slate to create their molting cave for them. It was probably a piece of tile, either for flooring or roofing.

Ah. That’s really interesting- and also interesting that they just let her do it for them like that! Thank you!


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And how did she know they where ready to stay put and molt?

zokirova wrote:And how did she know they where ready to stay put and molt?

Yes! That made me wonder as well, especially when they were younger; I have heard several say that after an extended time having a certain crab, you recognize their ‘molting cues’ but the early days? Yeah, how did she sort that one out? She did say there was some trial and error- perhaps that is simply what she’s been doing the past 20-30 years, but did it differently in the beginning? I’d love to pick that awesome lady’s brain!! Lol


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I bet she got the crab when hermit crab data was at it's lowest, so 15-25 years later, she decided nobody could tell her how to take care of a hermit crab better than her. I mean whatever works!

She is the reason there is hermit crab data, and why so many of the pioneers were able to keep theirs alive long enough to discover more about them.

She definitely seems like a cool lady, and I am definitely grateful that there is someone like her that took the time and love to figure out better what they needed.


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Where is this data? I'm so curious! There is so many ways of crabbing, but what she did worked. Part of the interest I have with my little buddies is providing them with the beat captive life possible. Besides the basics what really works? Hands on approach, Carol seemed very involved. Carol also didn't have all the fancy stuff people set up, such as UVB.

wodesorel wrote:My understanding is that she dug the hole for them and then put them in it and covered them with the slate to create their molting cave for them. It was probably a piece of tile, either for flooring or roofing.

I actually thought she made a slate box. I swear I saw pics of it somewhere - think it may of been the Crab Street Journal.


Moulting signs tend to be rather easy to note, if you know what you're looking for...

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Yeah, I tend to see the signs when my crabs are preparing to molt:

- Cloudy eyes
- Excessive eating and drinking
- Time spent in the water ponds
- Digging all over the place
- Declining activity

But I let my crabs molt in the tank. I don’t isolate.