Molting period for a hermit crab....?

Question

I was just wounderin how long it usually takes for a hermit crab to molt because right now, I dunno if my hermit crab died or is just molting, which I'm pretty sure he's molting, and I wanna know about how long it will be until he get's outa his exoskeleton now and grows his new one. I don't want to be leaving a dead hermit crab in a cage with two other ones

Answer 1

i think it takes about a month, maybe a little less, just make sure the bedding is deep. you can find lots of important info. on google too

Answer 2

depends on age&size,it can even take a few wks(if you pick it up gently,sometimes you can see the way its closed up&even see some(kinda pinky/dry nippers)It's behind this&very very soft,However long it takes individual to be hard enough to come out&move into new shell(have larger spare,a couple so it can try&get right fit.
The smell will be a give away(if dead)
Best not to(but if you place shell in water,you should see it breath a bubble)dont drown it(best to leave it&wait)
Keep habitat clean,with some fresh food&water+salt bath(important)When its late&feels safe will take some,if it needs.
Alot of people chuck out molting crabs(they can live up to 50yrs)That's all i can remember for now,will post back facts,if i locate my old,book,diary&fact sheet.
OK,BASICS:
THE HERMITCRAB MUST SHED EXOSKELETON AS IT GROWS BIGGER.SMALL ONES MIGHT EVERY OTHER MONTH WHILE BIGGER ONCE A YEAR.
A FEW WEEKS BEFORE MOLTING IT WILL BECOME INACTIVE&BURY IN THE SAND TILL EXOSKELETON HARDENS.HERMITCRABS WILL EAT THE EXOSKELETON,SO DONT REMOVE IT.SEPERATE MOLTING CRAB FROM OTHERS,THROUGH MOLTING IT'S VULNERABLE&CANABALISM CAN OCCUR AT THIS TIME.
UNTIL EXOSKELETON HARDENS DO NOT DISTURB.
WATER IS ESSENTIAL,MOISTURE HELPS IT SHED.OLD SHELL WILL REMAIN SOMEWHERE@THE OPENING(DON'T THROW,PROVIDES CRAB WITH REQUIRED CALCIUM)
HAVE SPARE SHELLS AVAILABLE;OPENING SHOULD BE AS BIG AS THE BIGGEST NIPPER.

Answer 3

What is the crab doing? Has it dug down below the sand in the tank, or is it on the surface?

Hermit crabs usually dig down into the substrate to molt, but sometimes they can molt on the surface, and this can be dangerous for the crab.

And they take varying times to molt, as well.

A better place for you to be asking this question would be the forums at the link listed as my source.

Answer 4

sorry to take heed to about your loss. no longer particular the position to procure him... or at the same time as... what i spotted about shops that promote hermits.. is they have them in a tank with sand... no mist, no humidity administration... it is significant for hermits... i desire you've a humidity administration and some style of misting gadget.. they choose this or they dry out and die.... hermits aren't any more as uncomplicated to save as human beings imagine.. walmart is the worst for killing them earlier they are even bought and those they promote many times dont very last lengthy until eventually they do to a hermit specialist who knows the problem of the crab. So having suggested all this, you ought to educate your self about them extra and save at breeders of those crabs (i'm in uncomplicated words assuming your no longer an expert because your on the following asking if one is lifeless after its legs and pincer fell off)...you receives a a lot fit crab ..... and enjoy him for awhile.... good success

Answer 5

Here's a really great hermit crab site:

http://www.hermit-crabs.com/index.html

Answer 6

about 6 days fully
if more than 6 days
hes dead haha

Answer 7

it takes awhile, i thought mine was dead but then the next day i looked and i saw his "skin" laying next to him. kinda gross!

Answer 8

hes dead