Question for my aunt

[Nnnnnnnn]

Is molting really needed?? She thinks I'm crazy, Help.

[CrabbyMom33]

Yes, molting is the only way a crab can grow and/or repair damage. It is critically necessary for their survival. Much like a snake must shed its skin to be able to grow, a crab must shed it's hard exoskeleton to grow.

Here's a good article from the Hermit Crab Patch on molting that she might like to read: http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Hermit-C ... -a/138.htm

[JamesR]

Is oxygen really needed for humans? They can survive without it. Sure, they'd survive a whole lot longer with it, but it's not really necessary is it?

Yes, it is. And so is molting for hermit crabs. Molting is a natural, hugely important part of a hermit crab's life. And just like if you cut off oxygen from a human long enough, crabs will surely die if they aren't able to molt. They may struggle through some surface molts, unbearably stressed and presumably experiencing pain.