HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I came home after a week of vacation( don't worry I had a pet sitter give them food and water every other day!) and found my crabs shell in the corner empty and what I think is his corps next to it... It was sooo dry and crunchy and I don't think it really had an abdomen... Is it his exo?? Is it his dead body??? I love him soo much and I'm really sad so please help! I'll try to get pictures, I moved him to a box so I can bury him... Any thing will help! Thanks!
- becca :crybaby:

Look deep inside the shell. Sometimes you will see a tiny pink crabby deep inside. If so you had a crab do a surface molt. It sounds like the exo. Put it back in the tank and wait. Please hurry and get back to me about what you see waaaaay down inside the shell.

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This thread shows awesome pics of what a surface molt looks like: http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... cs#p756716.

I agree with Kelly, the crab could be tucked way back in the shell. Double check and keep the crab in ISO with proper conditions until you're sure!! I wouldn't want you to accidentally dispose of a live crabby.

Sadly I don't see anything in the shell but when I went to look at him again I am sure he's dead, his abdomen I all shriveled up but it's there.. Thanks for your help! His fenurial is tomorrow...

I'm so sorry.