HCA: Hermit Crab Association

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

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.

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

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

It'd be hard to calculate.

I'm sure they find something fun to while underground. Really though, it's not too much time.

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

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