Can crabs molt in play sand?

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.
Locked

Topic author
Guest

Can crabs molt in play sand?

Post by Guest » Fri May 23, 2008 4:26 pm

I've had Mierco for over a year now, and Putin for about 6 months or so. I have about 5 inches of playsand as their substrate (ill be getting better substrate as soon as my funds allow). Niether of them have molted, and olny Putin has ever even dug in a litle, where he hung out for a ay or two then went to hideout in an old ceramic plant pot. How often do crabs molt, they re both medium PPs.


Topic author
Guest

Post by Guest » Fri May 23, 2008 9:02 pm

I've used play sand for years and I've had many successful molts.


Topic author
Guest

Post by Guest » Sat May 24, 2008 3:35 pm

You don't say if your substrate is wet or dry. If wet, how wet is it -
sand castle consistency is considered the best for wet sand.


Topic author
Guest

Post by Guest » Sat May 24, 2008 7:36 pm

its wet enough that if i draw a cirle with my finger it holds up... read somewhere on here that that is how to tell. and its damp like that all the way down as i mix it up whenever i need to replenish

User avatar

Tetracolor
Posts: 337
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:54 pm
Location: VA

Post by Tetracolor » Sat May 24, 2008 8:35 pm

Well its sounds as if your crabs aren't wanting to molt yet. Since they are mediums they don't molt very much maybe 2 or 3 times a year at most so I'd say there time is coming up soon. Just keep the sand at the consistency you have it and best of luck to you. :)
Crabbing for 6 years now.
15 PPs, 1 Beardie


Topic author
Guest

Post by Guest » Sun May 25, 2008 2:00 pm

I wouldn't change my substrate if that is what they are used to, when they are ready they will molt!


Topic author
Guest

Post by Guest » Tue May 27, 2008 10:26 pm

mierco burried down!!!!! and i think putin is surface molting- at least i hope he is!!!!

thanks for the help everyone!

Locked