my hermit crab...!!??!!??

Question

ok yesterday i had bought new shells and my crab changed into one of them!im soo happy but he never come out of his new shell and he digs and eats more than he did before whats wrong is he goin to die?? PLEASE help me

Answer 1

Hello!
I am not sure what you mean by Not coming out of his new shell... when he is digging and eating so I know he is moving around well. Hermit Crabs do not come out of their shells all the way.

He is NOT GOING TO DIE.

What he is doing is number 1 settling into his new shell home, he is now comfy and obviously is liking his new shell.. so bravo for you for finding his perfect shell!

ALSO many times Pre-Molt signs will including changing of shells, eating and drinking more than normal and digging.

Here is the complete list of pre-molt signs...
Pre-Molt signs:
He will tend to hang out by the water pools a bit more, this is when he is "stocking" up on water helping to soften him up and make slipping out of his old Exoskeleton a bit easier. Your crab will also eat a lot more; you may even witness him eating at odd hours of the day at this time. He may also become lethargic and seem to mope around a bit. Our crabs have also gone shell shopping at this time and have even gotten aggressive while doing so.
A crabs coloring may get dull and ashy and you may notice his eyes become cloudy, sometimes if a crab had lost a limb you may see a jelly like protrusion it is a gel limb, do not be alarmed but the time for molting is very near.
You may choose to ISO the crab, this is up to you and you will need to judge the space and other crabs as to if this is what you need to do. If you do make sure it has the proper temps and humidity levels and continues to offer daily fresh foods and water throughout the molting process.


At this point he may stay dug down for awhile.. maybe even weeks, do not assume he is dead AND do not dig him up because if he is molting and you disturb him, it will cause stress and possibly death.

Now even with all of this said.. he may just be comfortable and hanging out.. he will re-surface from time to time. I have Hermies who love to dig down to hang out. You may email me anytime with any questions or [e-mail]

Answer 2

The crab is fine...acclimating to new shell...not crowded anymore so it likes it inside.....maybe digging since it wanted to get into/under something to hide or protect itself....every organism goes through growth spurts....so eating more may a sign of that too!!! It has a new shell to grow into....

Answer 3

your hermit crab is fine, and i wouldn't worry. but if you want to force him to peek out of his shell, get a spray bottle that did not have any chemicals in it, fill it with water, and spray once or twice into the shell. your darling hermit crab will come out.

Answer 4

No the crab is just settleing in its new shell itll pop out soon.

Answer 5

He's getting ajusted to his shell. He's fine. It takes alot of their energy to change, so he may not come out for a while. But he's alive, don't worry.

Answer 6

So do you pick names or help because you don't understand a thanks to guard them? nicely i can tell what now to not do with them for starters do not get to mini extra shells because they are going to climb up in them and fairly kill them self attempting to get out ok! so take a at the same time as with them ok it truly is all i can inform you! solid success! -Anna Merine

Answer 7

now he has a new bigger crib, he can eat more and fill out a bit...then he'll move into a bigger shell!!

Answer 8

it willl come out soon