HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I wasn't sure where to post this one since it involves a new crab, molting and shells (stick with me) . No question really, just wanted share a little moment of panic...

This morning, our newest crab, which we adopted a month ago, reappeared, freshly molted. Anyway, she is still in the painted shell that is way to big. I saw the shell moving across the habitat and a minute later I look back and see the shell on it'd side, no crab. I picked the shell up and still didn't see the crab so I began frantically searching the crabitat looking for a naked crab.

After 5 minutes or so I gave up and put the painted shell where it was left. Another five minutes of searching and the "empty" shell starts moving again. The shell is so big on her she can disappear into it completely.

There are a few shells slightly smaller then the one she has one in the habitat. And some about the same size. Now I'm worried about when she changes shells, how do I know she isn't in the apparently discarded shell. (I literally once had a nightmare about digging through the garbage looking for a crab that was accidentally disposed of in a old shell).

I decided, if I think the shell is discarded, I'll keep in the habitat, under a container until I get a head count. That may no one moves into the painted shell while I'm confirming its empty.

Little bugger made me late for work this morning.

Is it awful that this made me laugh?

But needing to do a head count if someone is molting could be so annoying. And that painted shell will be sitting there, mocking you the whole time. I'd be pretty vexed with my crab if it decided to live in a painted shell that I couldn't even tell it was in. Gah! :roll:

LadyJinglyJones wrote:Is it awful that this made me laugh?

Nah, that's why I shared the story. Made me laugh too, afterwards at least.

The crabs still and that ridiculously oversized painted shell. You can barely see the legs when it's walking around. Sure is fast though.

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She finally changed shells, I am still paranoid about tossing the old shell. There's a nice nice Tapestry turbo missing from the shell shop. I still put the old shell in a small plastic container in the habitat until I get visual confirmation tonight.


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That is funny!! I laughed too...at the part where the little bugger made you late for work! The things our crabs make us do! I could totally picture that all happening! Well written! LOL!!