2006-07-25 10:15:08 · 8 answers · asked by hgaleza 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If it were dead it would not be tight in it's shell and it would give off a strong odor of decaying fish.
It may be under stress.. possibly from over handling. Land Hermit Crabs are not the kind of pet that should be over handled constantly. If it is under stress. you must not touch it and let it walk around when it is ready. Many times hermit crabs are nocturnal and will come out late at night after we have gone to sleep and the house is dark.
A crab must be allowed to de-stress.. it may just sit there in it's shell, it may dig it's self under the substrate OR it may hide under soemthing.. either way the owner must leave it alone.
What kind of substrate do you use? The best is atleast 2-3 inches of sand or deep enough that the crab can burry its self as that is what they need to be able to do and is what they do in the wild, as they do live on the bach or near it. Gravel is not acceptable and very bad for hermit crabs, it does not allow it to burry to molt or de-stress and is very irritating to their exoskeleton and sensitive abdomen within their shell.
2006-07-25 12:00:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will smell like dead fish. It is most likely alright. If it falls out, though, it might be dead. If only its exoskeleton falls out, it is alive. If one is buried for mroe than 4 months, you should dig it up. Make sure you have great temperature and humidity. Humidity should be between 73 and 80 relative. Temperature should be between 72 and 89. You should get a humidity gauge and a temperature gauge. You can find them at the pet store. Your tank should have a glass lid so the humidity stays in. The sand should be AT LEAST 3 inches deep. You can use play sand if you bake it well. You shouldn't use commercial foods because they always have terribly bad ingredients that can kill hermit crabs. It may be under stress. Just let it be. It'll be alright if you just let it be.http://www.geocities.com/landhermitcrab2006 tells you a lot about hermit crabs.
Also, you can try to stick an object like a ruler or a paper gently in its claw to see if it grips it.
After a month or so, you can get it to come out. To do this, mist it a little and wait for it to come out. Some crabs are just shy.
2006-07-26 20:42:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they die, crabs are more likely to fall out of their shells than to "get stuck" in them, because they hold themselves in the shells with their tails.
Try smoothing out a section of sand in his tank, then put him in the middle of it and leave him alone for a while (i.e. overnight). It may be that he's just coming out when you're not around, and you'll see track marks from his feet. Make sure that the temperature and humidity are set correctly, and that he has food and water.
If you don't have sand in his tank, you may want to consider getting some - it's a better substrate for them so they can dig.
DO NOT try to pull him out of his shell. You will seriously injure or possibly kill him.
2006-07-25 10:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
when the crab dies it will usually fall out- if he doesn't move orr come out in a few days...well that means hes dead too!
2006-07-25 10:51:34 · answer #4 · answered by sragic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to pick it up, he should come out at least a little. Let him sit for a few days, see if he moves.
2006-07-25 10:18:28 · answer #5 · answered by eric k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will give off an odor when it dies. give it a few days but keep water and food accessible.
2006-07-25 11:14:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They fall out of their shells when they die.... and stink (BAD). You will know when he is dead.
2006-07-25 11:07:06 · answer #7 · answered by emmadropit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do nt know sorry
2006-07-25 10:20:53 · answer #8 · answered by chatzikir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋