Only new at this

[nailartjess]

Hi, I am only new at hermies and completely new at moulting, is moulting the same as them changing their shells? I got my crabs a couple of weeks ago and about a week after I got them some sea shells from a local beach and boiled them That night I had one crab change shells whilst I was in bed, I was rather dissapointed I missed it.

Anyhow, the last couple of days I have had 2 of my crabs missing in action. Obviously buried somewhere in the sand. Do I go looking for them or leave them alone? I am kinda stressing out what is happening.

[nu_butnotso_nu]

DO NOT DIG THEM UP!

Moulting is not the same as changing shells. It is a process by which the crab grows through shedding its old exoskelleton and growing a new larger one. Your crabs are probably in the middle of that process and could be dug under for many weeks depending on their size. It is very stressful and harmful to dig them up during this process.

I know all of this is new and kind of scary, but there are a lot of great sites to help you learn how to take care of your new pets. (Things such as the temp and humidity needing to stay in the 75-80 percent range in the crab's home)
Here are a few sites to help you in general, and to learn about moulting.

crab street journal (read the various caresheets)

thecrabbagepatch.com/molting.html

hermit-crabs.com

Land hermit crabs are not the "easy" pets that pet stores make them out to be, but with a some knowledge you will find these little guys are fasinating and very rewarding creatures.

Any questions you have feel free to ask, and enjoy learning about your new friends!

[nailartjess]

thay\nk u very muh for the very useful and friendly post. I'll go check out the sites now and try not to stress too much

[silver616]

Welcome and good luck with your new pets!!! Definitely check out the sites previously mentioned! The only thing I have to add is that I use spring water (so there's no chlorine which can burn their modified gills) and I do not use commercial crab foods b/c of all the preservatives that can be dangerous for the crabs.

[Hildegarde]

nu_butnotso_nu

You took the words right out of my mouth, thereby savings me some time that I can spend frolicking with my crabs.

crab street journal (read the various caresheets)
thecrabbagepatch.com/molting.html
hermit-crabs.com

Both The Crabbage Patch and hermit-crabs are excellent sources on information. The Crab Street Journal has fantastic care sheets but they're on a new system, so if you're not a subscriber-or even if you are, like I am, it may be difficult to get in - just so you don't think it's you.

oops! I almost forgot: DO NOT DIG THEM UP!

[krackersmom2]

When your crab molts, it will bury and stay buried from days to weeks at a time. It is very hard not to dig them up and make sure they are ok I have gotten used to them being buried and don't sweat it much anymore. Crabs will also bury to destress. Usually a sign that you crab has molted will be very shapr pointy black toenails. If you let them walk up your inner arm, it will feel like a cactus taking a walk. They also tend to change colors and be a bit more hairy after a molt.
Expect your crabs to change shells frequently. I like to take a daily inventory so I can keep track of who is who. After a crab changes shells, you may see them hold onto the old one for a "safety net". Crabs like to try shells on for fit and comfort. A lot of times they will switch back intot he old shell. The only time I would advise you to interfere is if you have a oainted shell. Remove it as soon as the crab changes out of it.

[nailartjess]

thank you everyone for the advice, it is all very helpful, i have warmed to the idea of my crabs burying themselves quite a bit now so not stressing too much. I have come up with a new project I am hoping to complete at some stage, I want to make myseld a nice big crabitat. I have a corner cabinet at present which my tank is on and I have decided I want to buils a crabitat the same shame at the unit which is a bit larger than my tank and a lot taller and I will put levels in it. I will use perspex I am guessing and aquarium silicone to put it together. has anyone else made one before?