Random legs??

[MoribundMaverick]

Okay, so I've been gone for a week on a mission trip, and my younger brother was SUPPOSED to take care of my crabbies for me while I was gone.
I had Jerzy and Pip both up, but Bob had been down molting for about five weeks or so. So he should be up soon- he's a small crab.

I just got back about thirty minutes or so and the cage was DESTROYED!
The second floor was randomly on the ground and everything was out of order. There was no food or water- when I asked my brother why he didn't take care of the crabs, he said "I've been busy" Yea, right. He's 13, he can't be THAT busy!!
Anyways, I started cleaning up the cage, and that's when I noticed two hermit crab legs laying in the sand around where I believe Bob is down molting. I looked at Jerzy just to check, and she's not missing any legs. Pip is too small for the legs to be his.
I think the legs belong to Bob, but there's no sign that he's come up.
My question is this: does it sound like he was attacked while molting? And would I smell something fishy if he was really dead?
Because I don't smell anything, nor do I see him.
Should I dig?
It's been at least six weeks.

[WizKidsMom]

Are the legs hollow? If they are, then do not worry.

If the legs are solid, then it is time to worry and gently dig for him if you know where he is. Sometimes they dig down in one place and tunnel to another.

[MoribundMaverick]

He's dead.

What is weird is that he never ever stank.


I think he got dehydrated in the middle of a molt or something.... idk.


Well, the good news is I'm about to adopt two smalls that are each over a year old and come from a good home.

[WizKidsMom]

If he was buried, you wouldn't smell him, at least for a while depending on the substrate.

I am sorry for your loss. Now you know not to trust little brother.

[HERMEZ]

Im sorry for your loss and happy you get to help 2 more--- smack your brother too

[MoribundMaverick]

Yea... I expressed my extreme displeasure with him.


Now I'm like "Ehhhh" about going to South Padre.
My friend said he'd watch the other two.
But he's never had crabs before.

I know if I tell him how to look after them he'd do it.

Should I leave them with him even though he's never had crabs?

[Hermie's rule]

Give him a chance. My parents never kept crabs before in their life but when I ask them to care for the hermies when I'm away they care for them like they were their own babies.

[Hildegarde]

How long will you be at South Padre (you lucky dog)? If it's anything less then two weeks, please post your planned time away from your hermies. If it's less than two weeks I can give you some ides on what we did when we left our little ones home alone for 10 days.

[MoribundMaverick]

Well that's good.
I'll leave on the 7th and get back on the 12th, but I'll be leaving early that morning and getting back late that night
So I'd probably take them to my friend's house on the 6th and pick them up on the 13th.

Should that be okay?
And that does mean that it'll be less than two weeks. My wallet couldnt' afford any more than a week, and that's only because the hotel is paid for by my Christmas bonus! lol!
So what were your tips?

[krackersmom2]

S. Padre.....I'm in Corpus Christi! Shame on your brother for not considering how important your crabs are to you