HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi,

My son (10 years old) and I are very new to the hermit crab world, so I wanted to introduce ourselves. We got a couple of hermies because he wanted an "exotic" pet, and I wasn't considering a snake, lol. I think I've become more attached to the little guys than my son is. We started with two, but one unfortunately died. So we bought two more, for a total of three. Their names are Batman (he's in a shell with the Batman logo painted on it, which was done before we got him), Pointy (pointed shell) and Pearlie (pearlescent shell).

I've enjoyed reading about the care and feeding of these little guys on the forum, and I have lots more to read. I was worried because ours don't seem to eat, but I guess they do, in small amounts. I'm trying different foods. They totally rejected strawberries and apples (as far as I could tell). They've got a few chopped natural (no salt or anything added) almonds in there right now, so we'll see.

I guess my only question (so far) is, how is molting related to shell changing? Do they only change shells when they molt? Do they always change shells after they molt?

We've got a variety of shells in the crabitat, so they have several to choose from. But no one has changed yet. Batman buried himself for the longest time and I thought he was molting, but now he's back up and he doesn't seem to have molted. We're just not sure what to expect regarding shell changing and molting.

Thanks!

Kimberly

krbrown2000 wrote:Hi,

My son (10 years old) and I are very new to the hermit crab world, so I wanted to introduce ourselves. We got a couple of hermies because he wanted an "exotic" pet, and I wasn't considering a snake, lol. I think I've become more attached to the little guys than my son is. We started with two, but one unfortunately died. So we bought two more, for a total of three. Their names are Batman (he's in a shell with the Batman logo painted on it, which was done before we got him), Pointy (pointed shell) and Pearlie (pearlescent shell).

I've enjoyed reading about the care and feeding of these little guys on the forum, and I have lots more to read. I was worried because ours don't seem to eat, but I guess they do, in small amounts. I'm trying different foods. They totally rejected strawberries and apples (as far as I could tell). They've got a few chopped natural (no salt or anything added) almonds in there right now, so we'll see.

I guess my only question (so far) is, how is molting related to shell changing? Do they only change shells when they molt? Do they always change shells after they molt?

We've got a variety of shells in the crabitat, so they have several to choose from. But no one has changed yet. Batman buried himself for the longest time and I thought he was molting, but now he's back up and he doesn't seem to have molted. We're just not sure what to expect regarding shell changing and molting.

Thanks!

Kimberly

Sometimes hermit crabs will change into a smaller shell so that it doesn't get in the way while moulting. Good luck


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If you have E's, they will modify their shell to wear as long as possible. They are very picky and hard to shop for IMO. If you have PP's, they will generally change shells when they find one they like... Some may do it before a molt and others after a molt. Some even change shells like we would change our clothes and others are kind of finicky.... There are incorrect shells to buy so here's a guide: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92552

Edit- you'll know a molt by sharp, pointy toenails and super hairy legs. Most even have eyelashes after a molt. If your guys are newbies, more than likely they were just de-stressing.
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Hiya!
Welcome to one of the weirdest & most addictive 'pets' (they are wild animals really) you can get.

Some crabs change shells all the time, others cling to their shell long after it seems too small.

Just in case you haven't seen it, here is the shell page, that explains which kinds of shells are prefered by which species. Having the right kind of shell is important: pet stores will sell shells that only a desperate crab would use.


http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/ ... 25&t=92552

Hello! Welcome to the HCA! Please check out the shell guide. there are correct shells to buy. You can purchase them from Michaels, JoAnns Fabrics, Hobby Lobby. Each of those stores accept the others coupons. boil the shells in dechlorinated fresh water and then dip in cool dechlorinated marine water before presenting to the crabbies.


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Welcome to HCA. Your crabbies sound really cute. Pretty much everyone else has answered your questions, so im just another welcoming party.

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Hello! I have a female named Ralph (my stepsons idea) that used to change shells once a day. That went on for almost a week! All of mine are PP's. Although, I have one little guy named Spidey (he had a Spiderman shell; got home and jumped into another ) that doesn't look so much like a PP. He's so small , it's hard to tell.

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