I feel so lost!

[msdiamonddawg]

I have lost my Herman ... to the subtrate! He has gone underground and not been seen for weeks (maybe 3 or so). As I have NEVER owned a hermie before, how do I know if he is moulting? I feel completely lost.

I keep holding out hope that one of these days he will resurface! I don't smell anything, which is a good sign I guess, although he is just a little guy. I have no idea where he might be. I can't change the subtrate and I can't move things around for fear of putting something on top of him!

I have since bought two more crabs (Batman and Daisy Duke) and have had them for about a week. They are both a little bigger than my little guy and I was hoping he'd come around, but still no sign.

Can they live that long without eating? Any advice on how I know if he's moulting? Pleeease?!

Thanks!
Christine

[vckums]

Hi and welcome to the world of hermit crabs! LOL

They can dig under to destress as well as to molt. Depending on his size it can be a week or a few months to molt. They can survive without coming up for water and food, since they have a molt sac.
Just keep having patience and he'll pop up when he's all done.

[ThreeDaisy]

I wouldn't worry at all about your crab. It is very common for them to bury and not come out for 6-8 weeks if he's molting. Most all of mine have stayed under for anywhere from 4-8 weeks. They can live that long without food. It will be just fine buried under. How long have you had him? Sometimes they go under to destress. He probably has the just the right conditions and decided to molt. He will be so pretty and new when he comes out. Just hang in there. Remember they know what they are doing............we don't. LOL

[crazy4crabs]

I have had crabs molt for more than a year... im not saying your will stay under that long but give him his time..

[msdiamonddawg]

A year?!

Thanks guys for all your advice. I know they know what they're doing, even if we don't! I just get worried, like any new mother would! I have never owned a hermie before but with the help of my two new ones - and of course all of you, I'm slowly learning. I must say, I LOVE THEM! Of course, I say that now, but ask me again if they all disappear for a year!

As for how long I have had Herman, ohhh, all of 3 days before he went into protective custody - I guess about a month now in total. Daisy Duke and Batman have been with me for 2 weeks now. You say he'll look all pretty and new, but I don't remember what he looks like now! Ahhh ....

While I'm here, I have one more question, which I will also post in the general directory ... yesterday I picked Batman up and he was just chirping away at me. Now of course, I thought, how sweet is that! But, you know, given I haven't a clue what he's saying, he could be telling me off! Is it just something they generally do? I wonder if he's happy, upset? Do hermies even have these types of feelings?! I better stop now before things get out of control..........

[crazy4crabs]

lol. good question i have never heard my crabs chirp so I have know clue. after 6 years and 10 crabs later my mom had cut me off. I still am totally obsessed though. I dont think it ever stops.

[nancy]

Hello. I'd like to give you a little piece of my experience. I seems when I get a new crab it's gone three minutes after he goes in the tank. I think when you get them from a pet store or another environment the substrate is not deep enough for digging. Hermit crabs love to dig to destress, molt, or just to get away from it all. The merchants who sell crabs don't want their merchandice buried, so the crabs are deprived of a behavior that is natural to them. Maybe your baby is making up for lost time. Don't worry, he'll be alright. Have faith. Nancy

[Itsy]

I learned that a crab chirps when it feels threatened if he starts chirping at you put him down FAST! he could get aggressive or stressed out really bad give him time put your hand toward him and let him feel you with his feelers and as he gets used to your scent then try picking him up if he still chirps put him down and let him smell you again. Try that everyday and he will slowly grow more accustomed to you and being held and what not. It could be because he wasnt handled propery by a pet store or a shipping company give him time he will come through.