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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Topic author
Guest
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by Guest » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:41 am
so my third molter came up while i was away for the weekend and i see unfinished exo ( 2 legs other small pieces) but the legs look like they are too big for dopey, the new molter, i have another crab molting somewhere that had legs that could have been that big. Do exos stretch when they are being shed or is my biggest guy under attack
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Topic author
Guest
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by Guest » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:38 pm
I dont think Exo's stretch very much but I can honestly say after every molt when i have bits left over none of them every look like they would have fit my crab.
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Kilimanjaro
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by Kilimanjaro » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:51 pm
Exoskeletons do not stretch. I don't think he was being attacked, but it could be from the other crab. Could you give us any other details as the story is a bit confusing for me... :roll:
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Topic author
Guest
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by Guest » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:03 pm
i came back from vacation and found dopey next to some exo. at first i didnt think much of it but noticed that the exo legs were too big to be dopeys. i have only 1 crab with legs long enough to fill the exo and he is molting now too. is he in trouble?
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Tetracolor
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by Tetracolor » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:36 pm
umm... im halfway confused about it to. from what i can tell its no biggie. as long as your molter isnt chirping or being dug up it should be fine. is he surface molting or something?
Crabbing for 6 years now.
15 PPs, 1 Beardie
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Kilimanjaro
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by Kilimanjaro » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:44 pm
Sometimes the crab is smaller after molting for a while. They are a bit smaller from the loss of the bulky, hard exoskeleton. They will regain their bulk after hardening so that might be why the exoskeleton seems so large right now.
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Topic author
Guest
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by Guest » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:45 am
thanks guys, no he wasnt surface molting but i guess when he dug up he brought some unfinished legs with him. the other guy isnt chirping so i guess hes ok, and actually all the exo was gone this morning