Concerned about Molter

This forum is where you discuss issues relating to molting hermit crabs, including pre- and post-molting issues. If you are having a molting emergency please post in the Emergency Forum.
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SapphireHermies
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Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:30 pm

Concerned about Molter

Post by SapphireHermies » Thu May 19, 2022 5:00 pm

Hello, I have had my two hermies for almost two weeks. Within two hours of purchase, one of them burrowed and hasn't been out since. I know that he was most likely de-stressing, but within the last few days I have noticed that my other hermit, Chopper, has decided to slowly burrow down almost right above him. I read somewhere that maybe the burrowed one is molting and Chopper smells it. I decided to check underneath since he burrowed straight down to the glass and it looks like the buried one is molting. (Yay!) I am concerned that Chopper is slowly digging down to the other one since they're molting. My question is, do I need to separate Chopper so the molting crab doesn't get harmed potentially? Chopper is not fully buried since I can still see his shell, but everyday I have noticed that I see less and less of his shell.

I believe that both of them are tiny and the substrate is 4in. I will be putting more in after the molter is done. I may be overreacting, but I don't want the molter to be in any danger if I can help it. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!

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JoeHermits
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Re: Concerned about Molter

Post by JoeHermits » Thu May 19, 2022 8:37 pm

Probably not a major issue since they tend to burrow away from their initial entrance spot anyways.

If you do want to add more substrate, though, you can do so safely while they’re underground so long as you don’t push it down.


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Topic author
SapphireHermies
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:30 pm

Re: Concerned about Molter

Post by SapphireHermies » Thu May 19, 2022 9:42 pm

Okay. Thank you for the reassurance! I will keep an eye on them though.

I did not know that so I will go out and get some more soon. Thank you again!

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