Molting caves
Molting caves
When crabs build big molting caves, do they do this expecting to grow slightly bigger when they molt?
-
GotButterflies
- Administrator
- Posts: 7242
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:56 pm
- Location: Florida
- Contact:
Re: Molting caves
They build a cave that is large enough for them to move around in, and so there is enough air for them to breathe. Hope I answered your question 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com
-
aussieJJDude
- Administrator
- Posts: 5006
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
- Contact:
Re: Molting caves
Well, i guess it would makes sence. Likewise it would also give them a bit of leg room to actually moult.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
|| Avid Aquarist Addict (2007) || Crazy Crabbing Connoisseur (2012) || Amateur Aroid Admirer (2014) ||
"She’s there, she’s upright, and she’s wigged" ~ Trixie
Infrequently on due to studies
"She’s there, she’s upright, and she’s wigged" ~ Trixie
Infrequently on due to studies
Re: Molting caves
One of my crabs just went down to molt on Friday that's why I asked. Last night, I thought I saw what was the beginning of a cave but he covered the window with sand. I'm suspecting he probably didn't want to molt there and tunneled away.
-
wodesorel
- Tech Support
- Posts: 10587
- Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:49 am
- Location: Leetonia, Ohio
- Contact:
Re: Molting caves
They do make caves of differing sizes. Not sure why some wants lots of space and others don't mind being cramped! They will always make them so they can have enough room to wiggle out of their old exo without hitting the sides, so about twice the space they would take up by themselves.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram
-
HermitHound
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:01 am
Re: Molting caves
As far as I know when they INITIALLY molt they're actually very slightly smaller then they were, and as the exoskeleton hardens it'll slowly grow.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Molting caves
The one that's molting right now is in a shell with a 7/8" opening so I'm going to expect him to change into a shell with a 1" opening once his exo is hardened and he's ready to come back up.