are jumbo crabs just older crabs?

[hermie's123]

i was wondering are jumbo crabs just older crabs? because i was wondering if i should spend the money getting a jumbo crab or should i just get a young one and let it grow up?

[hermie's123]

what species of crab acutually can get bigger if there is such a crab?

[emmac350]

I have never seen Es as big as the biggest PPs that I've seen. Yes, larger crabs are generally older than smaller ones, but there are a lot of other factors that go into size, the most important of which is nutrition. Crabs that have better nutrition have more frequent and successful molts and thus grow faster than those who are less well nourished.

[mamaturtle2000]

Generally speaking, yes-jumbos are older crabs. Also, according to what I have researched Indos are the (commonly kept as pets) species that get the biggest. Also, new research shows that hermit crabs can live MUCH, MUCH longer than any one ever knew or expected!

[CrabbyJo]

I have read many times that hermit crabs can live up to 80 years in the wild. We do know that the oldest living pair (or most well known) are Jon and Kate, owned by Carol of Crabworks. They have been with Carol for 33 years now, closing in on 34 if I remember correctly.

So getting a jumbo might be a good idea, unless you want to have to care for them long after you are married! lol.

[mamaturtle2000]

CrabbyJo, do you know how old Carol's crabs were when she got them? I wonder....

I have a member on my page who had a crab "aged" and it was over 80 years old! I was shocked to see you write that, since I thought if I told anyone that, they wouldn't believe me,lol.

[CrabbyJo]

I don't think it's really possible to know how old a hermit crab is, other than estimating by size. Some grow very quickly depending on nutrition, some grow much more slowly if resources are scarce.

I know my medium PP's are not much bigger than they were a year ago, but my E's are growing like crazy.

[mamaturtle2000]

Well, I definitely trust this source, as they have also discovered a new species, as proven through DNA. They work with the top scientists in the field; have for years and keep more crabs than any of us could ever dream of having,lol. If there's a way to have it done, this person found it-trust me.

[ladybug15057]

To date one can tell how many times a hermie has molted, but this cannot give the actual age of a hermie due to how they do molt more often when they are younger.
If there has been scientific documentation that shows how a hermie can truly be aged, please do provide the link to the documentation. (or the book/journal so we can buy it)

[mamaturtle2000]

I stand by my source.