HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I am the new owner of two PPs, one of which has relatively normal behavior (to my knowledge at least), but the other has strange habits when it comes to digging. He was acting normally for the first couple days, and was very outgoing and active. A couple days ago he started digging holes and burying himself. I think the eco-earth was too dry, because his tunnels collapsed. We dug him out two times because he wasn't showing any signs of molting (he had vibrant colors and his eyes were clear) and he's buried himself a forth time. He's been like this for a couple days. We have about four to five inches of eco-earth so I suspect he's buried himself deep.
Should we leave him alone? Is this a sign of some kind of problem or illness?

Thank you for any replies!

This is completely normal. It is important to never dig up a crab that has been buried, once you get your substrate at the right consistency.

It should be like a sandcastle, and hold shape when molded.

Here is a link to the molting guide.

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... hp?t=92527

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His tunnel has collapsed though. Is this also normal?
I can work on getting the substrate the right consistency, but since I think I would have to take out all the soil it would probably be better to wait until he has resurfaced?
Thank you!

FireflyStars wrote:His tunnel has collapsed though. Is this also normal?
I can work on getting the substrate the right consistency, but since I think I would have to take out all the soil it would probably be better to wait until he has resurfaced?
Thank you!

If the tunnel collapsed, dig him out carefully, then moisten your substrate with dechlorinated water until it is moldable but not too squishy or drippy. Then let him dig and tunnel.

They do also backfill their tunnels and will not stay in the same spot they buried in.

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