Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

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.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
dstephens
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:55 pm

Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by dstephens » Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:53 pm

I've not seen any descriptions except "iodine;" I'm not sure what iodine smells like, though. What should a molting crab smell like??

User avatar

Christa
Posts: 1116
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:35 am
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by Christa » Fri Jul 14, 2017 9:59 pm

It's different than the woodsy, organic crabitat smell. Sort of like a glue smell. Sometimes there is no smell, or it is very faint, especially if the crab is buried.

I wonder if different species make a different smell? Not that it would make a difference in their care, but it would be cool to know.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
~~ The HCA ~~ the original and still the best -- ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS
Ting-Tang (Walla walla bing bang!)
Crabbing since 1974
http://www.hermit-crabs.com

User avatar

wodesorel
Tech Support
Tech Support
Posts: 10587
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:49 am
Location: Leetonia, Ohio
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by wodesorel » Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:13 am

It smells like ladybugs and fireflies to me.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram

User avatar

wolfnipplechips
Posts: 1038
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:46 pm
Location: Auke Bay, Alaska
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by wolfnipplechips » Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:19 am

It's a weird slightly metallic smell. A smell you wouldn't normally associate with an animal. But yeah, sometimes there is no smell at all.

I'm picturing Wodesorel going around sniffing ladybugs and fireflies. :lol:
Crabby since May 2009
Hermit Crab Food Store: http://alaskahermit.com/
Pets: crabs, cats, lizards, flesh eating beetles, isopods, betta fish

User avatar

Christa
Posts: 1116
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:35 am
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by Christa » Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:51 am

I'm picturing a feeling of disgust when a ladybug vomits that yellow gunk on me. They're cute insects, but they've got to quit chewing tobacco. ;)

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
~~ The HCA ~~ the original and still the best -- ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS
Ting-Tang (Walla walla bing bang!)
Crabbing since 1974
http://www.hermit-crabs.com

User avatar

LadyJinglyJones
Posts: 2115
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2016 12:01 pm
Location: The 6ix, Ontario, Canada

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by LadyJinglyJones » Sat Jul 15, 2017 11:48 pm

^ :lol:
"Gaze upon the rolling deep..."
Quince the fat tailed gecko; Amazonian minnows; and now Harry & Luis, Bede & Aster, Chandra & Jace, Pax, & Piccolo, my adopted PPs.
RIP Vegita :(

User avatar

wodesorel
Tech Support
Tech Support
Posts: 10587
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:49 am
Location: Leetonia, Ohio
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by wodesorel » Sun Jul 16, 2017 1:05 am

Hey, I have cats. They bring me dead things, even when those things have 6 and 8 legs. [FACE SCREAMING IN FEAR]
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram

User avatar

Christa
Posts: 1116
Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2002 10:35 am
Location: Worcester, MA
Contact:

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by Christa » Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:28 am

Ugh. Many a quiet evening has been interrupted by April coming up from the basement and dropping a live mouse in the middle of the living room. We'd have to drop everything and find the mouse before she mangled it.
~~ The HCA ~~ the original and still the best -- ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS
Ting-Tang (Walla walla bing bang!)
Crabbing since 1974
http://www.hermit-crabs.com

User avatar

CrabbyEmerson
Posts: 74
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 8:12 pm

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by CrabbyEmerson » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:23 pm

I've never met a cat that doesn't love hunting creepy crawlers :P Minnie likes moths the best.


Pinkypants
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:19 am

Re: Can someone describe the "molting" smell?

Post by Pinkypants » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:32 am

Be careful not to confuse it with death ! Trust me, the death smell will likely make you gag, it is unmistakable. The molt smell is tolerable, much lighter, but it is present.

Post Reply