Molting Questions

[Aja1]

Hi,

I am a new hermit crab owner, since September of this year. I have been reading all the information I can find in order to do this correctly. My two hermit crabs, Tom and Jerry, seem to be molting. I have not ever dealt with molting before, and I am nervous. These are class pets, and the children would be very upset if anything happened to Tom and Jerry.

I brought Tom and Jerry home for our Thanksgiving holiday. On Monday night (maybe Tuesday night) I saw both Tom and Jerry out walking around and eating in the crabitat. I have not seen them since, they have buried themselves in the substrate. They have not touched their food since Monday night. It also appears that they have not touched their water either. I keep changing both their food and water (salt and fresh) even though they do not appear to be touching either. I can see just the very tip of one of their shell hidden under the substrate and under their climbing logs, but I don't want to disturb them if they are molting.

When I read the information on this board it appears that they might take up to a month or longer to molt? Does this mean they will not eat or drink for that entire time? My plan is not to disturb them until they resurface, is this correct? Is there anything I should be doing, like checking on them, that I am not doing? Thank you for any advice. I am very worried about them, and I want to do everything correctly.

[sugarselections]

Welcome!

Depending on their size, your crabs will probably take month or two to molt. No, they won't eat or drink during this time. They probably have what's called a molt sack attached to their bodies that will sustain them through the molt. It's difficult to resist, but please don't disturb your crabs while they're buried.

[Aja1]

Thank you Sugarselections! I will resist, and not disturb them at all. I told the kids today that they will probably not be back before winter break. Now all I can do is hope everything works out ok for Tom and Jerry.

[Aja1]

The good news: One of the Hermit crabs has finished molting and has resurfaced. I think it is Tom. He was apparently molting under the water dish! He seems to be doing well, and he changed shells as soon as he resurfaced. I think Jerry is still under. I am very excited to see Tom because it has almost been two months, and I was starting to worry.

[sugarselections]

Congrats on the molt!

[Aja1]

Thanks, now I am just waiting on Jerry.