HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey everyone sorry I can't get on as much right now.Here is my question: The 1st crab (willy) I got in fall 2012 waited a week then went down for 2 months and came back up. I could tell that it molted cuz it was hairyier and had very sharp toenails. Shortly after he came up I adopted some more crabs and put 1 in with it. After a month the new one (Si) buried itself and about 5-7 days later the 1st one (willy) buried itself again. The new one (si) was the first up after 1 1/2 - 2 months and then about 2 weeks later the 1st (willy) came up. I can't tell if it molted cuz it was still newly molted to begin with. It did not come up for food or water during the time it was buried. So did it molt twice one right after the other or was it just hanging out underground?Hope this makes since!

yes crabs can molt then re-molt one of my crab did it. but they might be just sitting underground.

Crabs sometimes postpone molts when conditions aren't favorable such as during transit, in stores, dry environments or inability to bury, etc and can be overdue to the point that they do back to back to catch up. Active crabs with good appetites can also trigger an earlier molt and very small crabs molt frequently, once every 1-2 months. We even have a record 3 back to backs documented in the library.Presence of sharp toenails is usually the main indicator (besides color or size change) but if it's a small crab that does back to back with little time onboard, s/he may not have time to wear the tips down the first time.