Hermit Crab Molting: Naked and Afraid
Hermit Crab Molting, Naked and Afraid: an essential life cycle as dramatic as the reality TV show! They burrow, disappear and then they begin the delicate process of shedding their exoskeleton and emerging as a larger, often more colorful and happier hermit crab.
This essential life cycle can be a stressful time for hermit crabs, and it puts them in their most vulnerable state. It’s essential to understand the process, and provide the necessities for facilitating successful, healthy molts.
What molting is and why hermit crabs do it
Molting is a hermit crab’s process of shedding their exoskeleton (outer layer). Hermit crabs molt in order to grow and replace their old exoskeleton with a new one. The new exoskeleton is soft at first, but hardens over time.
During the molt, hermit crabs are at their most vulnerable and it can be a stressful time. Younger hermit crabs go through the molting process more often, typically a couple of times per year, and molting can last a couple of weeks. Older hermit crabs may molt less frequently but their molting process can take several months.
Hermit crabs must molt throughout their lives, it’s an essential part of their life cycle. If they don’t molt, they will die.
How to prepare hermit crabs for a successful, healthy molt?
- provide a well-balanced diet at all times
- keep a mineral block (calcium) or similar calcium source in the crabitat at all times
- make sure there is (de-chemicalized) clean fresh water available at all times, in a dish deep enough to submerge (they store water in their shells)
- for Eccies, Ruggies, Strawberries and other species besides Purple Pinchers, it’s essential to also provide clean seawater at all times
- try not to handle hermit crabs right after they’ve resurfaced from molting
- never dig for hermit crabs!
Indications a molt will happen soon...
Molting for hermit crabs isn’t a predictable, regular occurence. It isn’t timed or scheduled. This means a crabitat must have the essentials available at all times. When the hermit crab is ready, he will eat more, spend more time in their water pool and eat more calcium.
He’ll check out the extra shells, and then he’ll start burrowing and creating tunnels. When he’s dug the tunnel and found the space he likes, he’ll stay there for the molting process.
Until the process is complete, and he and his new exoskeleton strong enough, he will remain in the same exact spot. Then he will emerge, most likely change into a new bigger shell. He’ll want to eat, and wade into his water bowl, and climb. His color may look darker or brighter, and he will probably seem more energetic and happier.
Common problems during molting: what can go wrong?
Hermit crabs may experience difficulties during molting, even if they are healthy and well-fed. It’s important to provide everything they may need, to help avoid any additional stress. They need to be well fed, hydrated and have plenty of calcium to survive the molting process.
Exposed flesh and shredded exoskeleton smell attracts predators and trouble:
Molting hermit crabs let off a smell that can be detectable by predators and other hermit crabs. There are reports that cannibalism is possible between hermit crabs, when a hermit crab is molting and vulnerable. More commonly, other hermit crabs may want to steal the shredded exoskeleton for it’s calcium-rich value. It’s important for the hermit crab going through the molting process eats his own exoskeleton for the strength and energy it provides.
This danger makes it incredibly important for crabitats to have substrate that is at least 5″ deep for very small hermit crabs, but optimum depth is between 6″-8″ in depth. This allows hermit crabs to tunnel deeper where these hormones can’t be detected.
Weak, dehydrated, malnurished...
Molting hermit crabs must go into the process healthy and hydrated. This means they been eating a well-balanced diet leading up to the molt, including all the nutrients and calcium they need. They also need to be hydrated and have some water stored inside their shell to sustain them. If they go into the molting process weak, dehydrated and/or malnurished, they may not have enough energy to survive and climb back out of their tunnel.
The benefits of molting
Hermit crabs that have successfully emerged back to the surface of their crabitats after a good molt may appear different. Some species will change color, or their coloring will be much brighter and deeper.
Most hermit crabs, after a successful molt, will move into a new shell or go through a period of time trying on lots of shells before settling on one they like most.
They will also commonly appear much more energetic and happy, climbing and exploring more than they were before their molt. Their coloring will mostly appear much brighter and more colorful than before they molted.
They have grown bigger, even if it may not be obvious. With every molt, they get larger. This makes it very important to provide lots of shells to choose from, with sizes available for them to grow into.B00NG61JS2
Molting is a natural process for hermit crabs, and also essential to their survival. Hermit crab pet owners must provide the essentials in their crabitats to ensure these pets are getting all the nutrients, minerals and water they need.
While it can be worrisome when hermit crabs disappear, it’s important to understand the importance of never digging into substrate. Let the hermit crabs do what hermit crabs do, allowing them to be completely safe and secure when they burrow and tunnel below the surface.
If a hermit crab dies during molting, and the substrate is at the correct depth, its’ best to leave the hermit crab alone and let nature take it’s course. The risks far outweigh any peace-of-mind that can be gained from digging up hermit crabs!
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API