what percent?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:59 am

This question is coming out of my last thread below --for which I appreciate all the feedback that amounts to "Patience!" But it makes me wonder, what percentage of their lives are spent underground molting or in molting-related activities? If they molt 1 or 2 times a year and they can be under 2 months...that's a third of of their lives for some (as much as 4 months out of a year). Doesn't that seem like a lot of time hunkering down in the sand twiddling their little thumbs?

peace,
ci

wickedannabella · Post by **wickedannabella** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:07 am

Not really. Put it into perspective...How much of our lives is spent sleeping? I don't really think it's any different considering a third of our DAY is spent sleeping! (For MOST of us that is) We just have the luxury of being able to grow without shedding our skin.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:23 pm

Yeah, but don't hermit crabs also sleep? So that would be a third of their lives underground PLUS an additional third sleeping? Admittedly I don't happen to know how much time they sleep, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was comparable to us.

-ci

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:45 pm

You have to remember that they sleep underground sometimes, too...

It'd be hard to calculate.

Tetracolor · Post by **Tetracolor** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:28 am

I'm sure they find something fun to while underground.

Really though, it's not too much time.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:04 am

Well, they do have very little brains so maybe counting sheep is enough while they are underground!

I tried to look it up, btw, how much they sleep and couldn't find any info beyond, 'yes they do sleep' and 'they spend a lot of time sleeping'. I'm sure some scientist or expert on hermit crabs somewhere has explored this, but clearly it isn't fascinating enough to make the internet!

-ci

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:08 am

We need a hidden camera to see exactly what they are doing underground.