HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Just wanted to add my testimonial that it really can take FOREVER for some crabs to molt!

My third and final crabby came up from molting tonight, after 4 or 5 months underground! He's only the size of a ping pong ball or so, and I was seriously considering starting to dig because his 2 friends had come up 2 months and 1 month earlier (respective of size), and even had a dream last night about digging and finding him dead, but I just went in the room an hour ago and he's back!

So please, please, give them all the time they need and listen to the people here----they know what they're talking about! If it don't smell, don't dig!!!

Thanks for all the great info, everyone, and happy crabbing!

Wow, 4-5 mos?! I think you have a perfectionist on your hands.

Wow! I feel sorry for you! The longest mine took was 3 months. That felt like an eternity! :roll:

that must have been stressful! lol u didnt loose any limbs did u?

Nope, no lost limbs on any of them; they all went down at about the same time but then came back up in the order of size, starting with smallest first. And yes, it WAS very stressful and worrisome----I was convinced he had died but didn't want to ruin it if he wasn't. I'm VERY happy that I followed this site's advice and left him alone! He's all hairy and shiny and new now!

And I finally got to do a deep-clean tonight because he was up, and boy did it need it! They're all exploring the new tat now and pleased as punch.

That's awesome!