Eating dirt?

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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Topic author
CrabCakes

Eating dirt?

Post by CrabCakes » Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:00 pm

Hello everyone! Mr.Crabs just got finished with a molt 3 days ago. But he is still in that same spot where he was molting at. Doesn't drink or eat his foods but ive realized when I see him he eats dirt or sand! Is what he is doing normal or do I need to do something?


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Acceb_becca
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 3:23 pm

Re: Eating dirt?

Post by Acceb_becca » Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:04 pm

Don't worry! He's eating his exoskeleton! It's the old hard layer that they shed when they molt. It's full of nutrients to help them regrow their "skin".


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Crabinski
Posts: 1977
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:56 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: Eating dirt?

Post by Crabinski » Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:14 pm

Eating substrate, grains of sand from the tank wall, bits of cocomat, cork, wood = all perfectly normal and apparently quite yummy!
PPs are Big Enzo, Charles Paris and Mr Pinch
On the Big Beach in the Sky: Murray, Gino, Oscar, Gordon, Ignatz, Harry and King Felix the Pale
Also Mom to Imogene the Syrian Hamster


Topic author
CrabCakes

Re: Eating dirt?

Post by CrabCakes » Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:18 pm

Acceb_becca wrote:Don't worry! He's eating his exoskeleton! It's the old hard layer that they shed when they molt. It's full of nutrients to help them regrow their "skin".


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He finished his exo just is funny to see him eat dirt and sand! Wanted to make sure it is anything


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Acceb_becca
Posts: 29
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 3:23 pm

Re: Eating dirt?

Post by Acceb_becca » Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:00 pm

Sometimes Bertram eats the dirt and I'm like" I give you fresh worm castings and u choose the cheap food( Eco earth) wow..." I need to do a better job raising him lol


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