I have been keeping hermit crabs in my classroom. I brought them home for the summer and lost 3. Each time it is the same thing. They come out of their shells, apparently to change and them die. The last one was out for two days. I watched it try out new shells but not select one. Finally it just turned belly up. The others have curled up into a sort of ball. I have a good variety of shell choices. I have gone to several websites but haven't seen this answered. Any ideas?
To the obvious "funny people": yeah, I know I killed them. My question is "How?"
2006-07-28 23:16:09 · 5 answers · asked by wolfmusic 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Yes, I have/had a variety of shell sizes. I shouldn't complain, actually, this is the longest I've kept them. It just seemed weird that they all crawled out and died.
2006-07-29 03:41:21 · update #1
It sounds that one the shells still are not what the crabs are looking for exactly. THey can be very picky at times. Not sure what kind you are offering but Turbos are the fave among most crabs unless you have E's who love "D" shapped openings only.
Also the size of the opeing is what one has to look at carefully not just the shape of the opening. It shloud be big enough that the crab would be able to fit his/her big pincher insde of it sideways. That is how they measure them up. 1/4 inch larger and up are normally the variety needed.
ALSO it sounds as if the tank conditions are not within range. Do you monitor the temp. and humidity closely? And what are those levels? They will leave their shells when they are too hot, or too dry and other times when under stress.
Make sure the tank stays between 76-82 degrees F and 75%-85% relative humidity and they should be good. If the levels are not within those guidelines they do not live very long at all. Our eldest crab has been with us for 15 years.
I hope some of what we have been able to offer, has helped you. If you have any more questions or can offer more details please feel free to email us direct at hermitcrab_rescue@yahoo.com
2006-07-29 07:55:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a tough one. There's a lot that I don't know about the environment that they're in, like temperature, food and water supplies, cleanliness of the shells, possible parasites in their living space, etc. As a note, they don't usually come out of a shell unless it's too small for them because they've grown out of it. You may want to look for other reasons rather than specifically the shells as the problem.
2006-07-28 23:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by TC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi. I truly have hermits and truthfully he's ineffective - his leg fell off wich is a demonstration of what I heard to be beginning off to decay, he hasnt been in a shell for some days and that they are able to in basic terms final to be out of a shell for 6 hours. additionally they're going to die in the event that they are on my own for better than 3 weeks.
2016-10-01 05:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by morabito 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I"m sorry about the loss of your hermit crabs. i just dont think they do very well in captivity.
They are NOT people friendly, i still have a scar on the palm of my hand where one pinched me severly with his claws!!! i'm not in favor of having them as pets, I think furry friends are nicer and whole lot friendlier......by that i mean animals, not people HAHAHHAH
take care and have a nice day. s.t. from cedar point. oh
2006-07-29 00:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by smileyfish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have all kinds of different size shells, cause if it couldnt fit in any right that might be why
2006-07-29 01:35:10 · answer #5 · answered by Skittles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋