HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi!
So I've posted several times about my PPs, and I'm just curious. In the 3 years of owning them, I've never been completely sure when the two of them were actually molting, until very recently, when our large PP Shellina came up early from a molt and was so weak she had to leave her shell.

After that molt in early February, she was out and about for many weeks. I'd see her during the day and definitely at night eating.

I got 2 more crabs from Reptile City (don't recommend them as per my post on it) and Shellina has been out of site for weeks again, starting a couple of weeks after the 2 new crabs were introduced.

This is not untypical behavior over the years, but since I know she only just molted, I'm just wondering where she is? I know she is NOT coming out at night, and I'm pretty sure I know where she buried herself. Is this typical for PPs to just disappear for weeks at a time?

Just curious!

BTW one crab from Reptile City is hanging out every day with our existing PP Rango. The two are clearly friends and frequently retire right next to each other in the same tunnel. Seems to be doing fine. The other crab from Reptile City disappeared underground about the same time as Shellina did and has been out of sight for weeks; I can only hope for the best but I don't want to try and find it in case it's molting. I hope Shellina is not taking advantage of it if it's in a weakened state.

Sometimes crabs have to dig underground, they do this to de-stress, or play around if they are active
Don't worry about a crab that burrows under, and doesn't show up for a while. Resist the need to dig for them as well.

I experience this sometimes, and it definitely is a normal thing!
Also, you should feed honey, bee pollen, or royal jelly if a crab is weak after molting. Normally, smaller crabs have a quicker molt, and don't stay down long enough to regain the strength.
Feeding this foods just gives them tons of energy, and strength to carry a shell

Hello! Have you ever filled out the emergency template? viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102 Usually something is wrong for them to ditch their shell.

GotButterflies wrote:Hello! Have you ever filled out the emergency template? viewtopic.php?f=27&t=46102 Usually something is wrong for them to ditch their shell.

We are beyond that, thanks! Yes, emergency post, etc, etc. She was just too weak to carry shell between water and food. Honey, banana, constant attention, and she gathered strength quickly. She's fine! (Just... buried now for a few weeks).