Naked hermit crab, help needed!

[nikomas]

Early this afternoon, I discovered one of my hermit crabs was crawling around without his shell. I managed to get him back in after I rinsed out his shell and gave him a bath.

A little over an hour ago, he popped back out again. I've tried using a q-tip to get grains of sand out of his shell, I rinsed it again, and I even gave him another bath.

What can I do to get him back into his shell again? sad


Edit: I just got back from the pet shop with some new shells for him. Hopefully he chooses a new one soon.  

[ThornySinger]

After quick research, some crabs molt/get too fat/become stressed and leave their shell, so it may not have to do with the shell, but the actual crab. The rinsing idea is good, but make sure he's happy, not too fat. Check if he's molting or not.  

[nikomas]

How do I check if he's molting? confused  

[Seawicket]

••I C R I C K L E••
“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

You'll know when he's molting.
He'll shed his skin.

He's more than likely looking for a larger shell.
Here is a website on hermits.

You can PM me as well. I love hermits.

 

[Call Me Apple]

Dang my husband wants hermit crabs..but the idea of them shedding skin is flippin creepy stare  

[Charms26]

They also live a very long time. Sometimes 20+ years.

 

[ThornySinger]

@Call Me Apple: Just leave it alone, and it'll be fine.

@iCrickle: And you've saved the day again! Gosh, you just love sharing info, don't ya. wink

@nikomas: Ever seen a snake shed there skin? Or a photo of it? Or in Harry Potter 2 the movie? Yeah. Like that. But with a hermit crab.  

[Seawicket]

••I C R I C K L E••
“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

Honestly, it's not as disgusting as it sounds.
Normally, the hermit will eat its molt (skin) before
you see it. It's important that they do this. The old
skin is full of nutrients, that help it grow it's new skin.

 

[Seawicket]

SandWhisker

@iCrickle: And you've saved the day again! Gosh, you just love sharing info, don't ya. wink

••I C R I C K L E••
“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

I tend to do a lot of research. I'm a stay at home wifey.
So I have a lot of time on my hands. If you ever need
info/help with hamsters, I'm a mod on a hamster site
as well, lol. I know too much about them. Hehe.

 

[nikomas]

Thanks for the info iCrickle!

I think Sandy got the usernames mixed up! xd


I haven't had my hermits very long (the oldest for only a little over a month), but I've fallen just head-over-heels for the adorable way they scuttle around. heart  

[Seawicket]

••I C R I C K L E••
“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.”

You're welcome. Like I said, my inbox is always open
if you need some help with them.

My love for them started when I was little.
I had one for at least 4 or 5 years before it passed.

Since then, I've had a couple over the years.
They're so easy to care for, and so cute.

 

[ThornySinger]

nikomas

I think Sandy got the usernames mixed up! xd

Errm... sweatdrop Maybe... Hehe... Whoops.  

[xjewiex]

This is great now Im gonna help my Grappa wink  

[NightAngels]

My little cousins have hermit crabs and as soon as they start growing they change their shells to a bigger one : )