Artemis, Day 14 carrying eggs

[Kermie16]

WOW, @mlakers!!! I have been trying to catch up on many feeds and just found yours. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on your crab babies!!!! They are looking good and you are doing an awesome job!!


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[RiNiKy506]

Just saw your website, such an amazing job! I really admire everyone who is attempting to raise baby hermits. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible work.


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

[GotButterflies]

It's so exciting!! She is doing an awesome job!! Go Mary!!! We are all rooting for you!!!!

[hprmom]

I just read your entire blog on this year's attempt, your documentation, photo, video, all terrific. All y'all who attempt this are heroic! Hang in there. Wish I could bottle some energy and send it!

[mlakers]

Thanks so much, everyone! It's really hard keeping up the daily news, but today, Day 24, I have a MEGALOPA!! So adorable. All gangly legs and claws--doesn't know whether to walk or swim. I started crying and shaking when I saw him, hardly dared to believe it. I have a video up on YouTube, but my home internet is acting up so I'm having trouble accessing it. I promise to share it here when I can. Meanwhile...MEGALOPA!!

[mlakers]

https://youtu.be/Rzd8W90j6Sk

Right near the end of the video, when he rights himself and turns to look right at me, with eyes so much wider apart than the stage five zoeae, THAT'S when I started crying.

[RiNiKy506]

Absolutely amazing! Congratulations! I can’t imagine what that must feel like. They are so precious!


♡ Rod ♡ Salty ♡ Bob ♡ Squirt ♡ Crabina ♡
»-♡-> Our Purple Pinchers »-♡->

[Renroc]

Goodness me you are doing really well. Keep on doing what you are doing. Soon you will be advising all the rest of us who have been lucky enough to raise a couple of babies.
Must chat with you about what you are feeding.


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[GotButterflies]

That is AWESOME!!!! So cool to see!!!! Congratulations!!!!! Hopefully many more will get to that stage and pick shells!


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[mjjluver]

Great work! Congrats!

[mlakers]

Day Thirty.

Was gone for three days to attend the grand opening of my daughter's new business. My 22-year-old son was put in charge. He knows how important this is too me so agreed to do feeding and water changes. Unfortunately, he isn't as fanatical as I am, so there were losses, but I still have around fifty, probably five at megalopa stage at this time, but most of the earlier megalopa died. I'm not sure what they need that they aren't getting. Trying not to get obsessive and discouraged. Will reassess tomorrow.

[fandt94]

Day Thirty.

Was gone for three days to attend the grand opening of my daughter's new business. My 22-year-old son was put in charge. He knows how important this is too me so agreed to do feeding and water changes. Unfortunately, he isn't as fanatical as I am, so there were losses, but I still have around fifty, probably five at megalopa stage at this time, but most of the earlier megalopa died. I'm not sure what they need that they aren't getting. Trying not to get obsessive and discouraged. Will reassess tomorrow.

You are still doing fabulous and you need a break too! Congratulations on your daughters new business!

[mlakers]

Thank you, fandt94. I'm really struggling with doubts today. Another one of those days in the process when I keep thinking, "Why did I ever think I could do this??" Ugh. I just need to keep trying. One foot in front of the other.

My daughter's new business is wonderful. She opened a board game cafe in Troy, N.Y. They had an amazing turnout on opening night. Standing room only and they got so backed up I had to work as a runner getting food to the tables.

[naalide]

A bit late, but congratulations for megalopa-stage!

[mlakers]

Thank you, naalide! And thank you for the extra information, too. Very helpful.