Limb loss

Where to post and/or get advice regarding ill hermit crab(s) that are NOT molting, streaking or dropping legs.
Locked

lmaddox
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:39 pm

Limb loss

Post by lmaddox » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:48 pm

For some reason my daughter decided to give her hermit crabs a bath this morning and left them in the water all day. I just found them 12 hours later luckily still alive but one of them lost a limb. What if anything can I do? Put them back in the cage and they went straight for the water sponge.

User avatar

JediMasterThrash
Jedi Tech Support
Jedi Tech Support
Posts: 1803
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:05 pm
Location: Nerima district of Tokyo, Japan

Limb loss

Post by JediMasterThrash » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:45 pm

Wow I think that sets a new record. We've wondered for quite some time just how long hermit crabs can survive under water, and obviously it's not something anybody wants to test on purpose, we usually only test it on accident.The longest previously recorded accidentally submerged crab was 90 minutes and he survived. 12 hours and surviving would teach us a lot about how adapted the modified gills still are to water.In terms of what to do, providing them good foods and good conditions is usually the best we can do. Giving them a dark safe spot, and if there's any aggressive crabs possibly isolate them.
JMT.

Stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking crab-herder since '92.


Topic author
jenok
Posts: 695
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:22 am
Location: Oklahoma USA

Limb loss

Post by jenok » Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:19 am

We usually don't like to use sponges in their water bowls on this forum simply because there to much bacteria that grows on them. If you don't already have it set up you should have one fresh water bowl and one salt water bowl as both is required. They drink the fresh but use the salt water to put in their shells. Please read info on our forum and if you don't understand or still have questions please ask and we will answer as quickly as possible. Good luck oh and losing the limb is a sign of stress they can slowly grow them back if kept in good conditions and it will be after several molts have occurred. Hope that helps some.

Locked