what to do after he's shed his exoskeleton?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:51 am

My crab did a surface molt last week, and since he's the only one I have right now (his buddy passed away a week before Christmas and I haven't had a chance to get another), I've just let him be. He's starting to move around and all, he camped out in the water dish yesterday, everything seems to be going fine. What I'm wondering about is - does he still want to be in the dark? I've had the tank covered with a black cloth to keep the light out. But maybe he's ready to get some light during the daytime now? What do you all think?

OIF_VET · Post by **OIF_VET** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:06 pm

Hi there! I would go ahead and allow the "Lil' Dude" see the light of day

If all seems well... Let him resume normal Day/night.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm

I agree with OIF_VET.

Has he eaten most of his exo? Since he is starting to move around all over the place, he is probably sufficiently hardened & is ready for life to resume as normal.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:43 pm

I don't know if he's eaten any of his exo at all - he doesn't seem interested. Although last night I checked him when I went to bed, and he was "hugging" it. So maybe he was eating?

As I said, he ventured into the water dish yesterday, and I can see where he at least stuck a leg or two in the food dish. I've got the food, water, and cocohut all in the corner of the tank for him, so everything is close by.

I moved the cloth away so he can get some light today. We'll see if he likes it.

Tetracolor · Post by **Tetracolor** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:11 pm

Well, he should be showing a lot of interest in his exo, but he might just be sneaking some snacks while your not in the room. But, since he doesn't appear interested, you should be offering a lot of extra calcium and protein rich foos to make up for his lack of interest.

hermietastic · Post by **hermietastic** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:53 pm

Yeah, I just had a crab surface molt and I kept him in his hidey for about a week. He was a small, and not all the exo was eaten, but when you think he is ready is probably is.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:14 am

Well, I let my hermie have light yesterday. It bothered me a lot that he didn't move or respond to anything all day long. This morning, he still hadn't moved or anything so I picked him up to check...

The little guy didn't make it.

Thanks for all the help, though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:38 pm

I'm so sorry

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:18 pm

I'm so sorry!

I was concerned when you said that he wasn't interested in his exo. That rarely happens, and it is not a good sign. Poor guy just had a tough molt......You did nothing wrong. [smilie=comfort.gif]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:19 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss. [smilie=comfort.gif]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:23 pm

Thanks, everybody. I appreciate your kindness more than you know!