Growth Rate

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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DragonsFly
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Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:27 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Growth Rate / Crab regrowing ALL legs???

Post by DragonsFly » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:18 am

"Sunshine, who had all her legs eaten off during a molt"

Oh good LORD! I keep reading horror stories like this. Both of mine are now down in the same hole, and most likely at least one of them is molting; I'm so worried something horrible is going on down there, but I don't want to disturb them as I worry that they may not survive the molt anyway, since they had not been able to molt for over 6 months before I got them.

Wodesorel, how did you know that all her legs were eaten off? (I assume she was underground when this occurred, so how did you even discover her plight?) And how did you keep her alive--and for how long--so that she could grow them back???
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wodesorel
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Re: Growth Rate

Post by wodesorel » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:56 am

I found an empty shell on the surface and had a really bad feeling. It wasn't the first time a molter had been attacked or killed in my tank, so I went digging. (I think it's one crab who is responsible, but I'm not positive as to which one.) I found her freshly molted with no exo and no parts nearby, packed in sand from whatever other crab that tunneled to get to her, and shell-less. She only had a partial leg her left side (which was damaged as well) and her small pincher that was so badly injured that the only thing she could use it for was to prop herself up when she came out of her shell becuase it was paralyzed. The whole sad story is here: http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... 23&t=82507

But she's doing great! Just finished her second molt and has all her legs back (though she still looks really odd and has some trouble getting around). I'm keeping her ISOed for the time being and she may be gearing up for her third molt as she's been digging a lot. :D
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Xyloart
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Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:48 am
Location: NJ

Re: Growth Rate

Post by Xyloart » Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:57 am

Omg that is horrifying DDDD: I hope you figure out who the culprit is eventually!!! T_T

Yeah I wish I could be more help but I haven't had my blues for very long; 6 months? I'm not good with time. I feel like I'd have to have all my crabs for years and years in the same condition to say whether certain ones grow faster or slower than others.
Current critters: Cat, Corn Snake, Plated Lizard, two Bettas, 12 PPs, 10 Es, 6 Ruggies, 2 blueberries, 3 strawberries, 2 foster guinea pigs

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