1 day molting

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.
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dolphinlover
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1 day molting

Post by dolphinlover » Sat May 29, 2021 10:53 am

Is it possible for them to molt for one day?

I've had my Jengles and SpongeBob for about a week now..I just recently changed them to a bigger tank (10 gallon)..The first day I put them in Jengles buried himself into the corner of the tank..the next day I noticed he had changed shells and has been above the sand since..Now SpongeBob hide under the coconut hut and was semi-buried into the sand. Jengles joined him under the hut and I could see both of them. I noticed yesterday that the sand had been pushed up toward the entrance of the hut..This morning when I checked on them; SpongeBob is now completely buried in the sand way down (still under the hut) and Jengles is in the log sitting..(I can see just a bit of SpongeBob's shell)

After reading some of the post about molting I did not realize that they can molt for so long..I'm worried about SpongeBob, but know after what I've read that it is possible I might not see him for awhile... :(

I am waiting for my digital thermometer to get here so i can check on the humidity in my tank...I have moss in there now and keep it moist (spraying 3-4 times a day), because it drys out..I keep checking the sand to make sure it is still moist. so far so good..Now do i need to spray it with water if i notice that it isn't moist (new crab owner)...I also have a screened top and have placed towels on it to help keep the heat in leaving a small space open...

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JoeHermits
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Re: 1 day molting

Post by JoeHermits » Sat May 29, 2021 2:01 pm

Yes and no. The actual process of shedding off the old exoskeleton is relatively quick, most of the time spent underground is recuperation and recovery. Kinda depends on how you define “molt”.

That being said, digging does not always mean molting. Digging is also used for exploration, temperature regulation, hiding, and entertainment.

I don’t think any molting occurred from what you describe. Not enough time for it.


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dolphinlover
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Location: New York

Re: 1 day molting

Post by dolphinlover » Mon May 31, 2021 9:21 am

hey Joe,

I am new so I am not real familiar with the molting process yet..I now have 4 crabs (SpongeBob, Jengles, Patrick, and Squidward)...Jengles changed shells first...Then yesterday I noticed that SpongeBob had changed his..He was down in the sand pretty deep too..I could just barely see his shell using my flashlight because he had buried himself in the sand under his coconut hut..The other two I just got and not sure if they will change or not..They might have already changed before I got them from Petco the other day..They have adjusted well...

Thank you for your help...

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