Is it possible for a hermit crab to die in its shell and not fall out when picked up?

[Brenna7503]

Hi, I believe my crab Vladimir has died, but he is still in his shell, is it possible for them to remain in their shell when dead? I did smell the fishy smell and he’s been in ISO due to his big claw falling off so I believe he’s gone...

[Links]

Not sure. I’m sure someone here probably knows. Since I came home with one crab I bought friends and one never came out of its shell and was tucked tightly in its shell. I have no idea if it was dead or not but the pet store put it in some water and it did nothing. Not sure if that’s was ok to do. But I assume they assumed it was dead.


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[JoeHermits]

Yes, it does happen. If they wedge themselves in, either deep in the shell or the shell is simply a tight fit, the crab will not fall out easily.


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[Xenocrab]

Yes, I had a crab die and stay wedged in his shell. It took a week for him to start smelling.

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[wodesorel]

I found one once at the pet store that had mummified in it's shell. There was no smell and it looked like it was all closed up tight.

[22pony22]

I’m actually in the same boat as you. I think my crab has died. Hasn’t done anything in weeks and has lost big claw plus one other leg. But, I smell very slight smell but hasn’t fallen out of shell. I’m just leaving him there till after March break and I get new crabs then I’ll figure out what to do with him.


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