Help!!! Molting emergency

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 17 Feb 2007, 09:26

First of all when you pick up the shell does he/she fall out of it at all? If so I would say that it as passed. I have had this happen before not knowing and feeling bad cause what happens if it is still alive. If you are taking it ot the ocean and it is not dead it may be ok there. If it has a painted shell though I wouldn't place that in the ocean. I would definately get others hermies are socail creatures so they need others with them. Good luck. Keep us posted.

belly · Post by **belly** » 08 Mar 2007, 07:40

I looked in the tank and found one completely exposed with its abdomen moving. I thought it was some kind of grub worm! Its legs and pinchers were scatter around it. My daughter was devastated. Im not sure if it was trying to molt or what. I havet experienced that with any of my other crabs. We buried it in the back yard.
RIP TigerLilly

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 08 Mar 2007, 08:31

Sorry to hear about your lose. Did you find its shell near it? If not did you see another crab with it on? It could be that another hermie wanted its shell. They grab onto the one with the shell they want to take over and shake the shell vigorously until the one leaves the shell. Then they move in. I had this happen once. Unfortunetly they can eat each other or it might just have gotten stressed and that would emplain the legs having fallen off.

belly · Post by **belly** » 08 Mar 2007, 09:37

It was right outside of its shell. THe oither two crabs werent near it. It was fine last night when I checked and now it was all sprawled out and fallen apart but still somewhat moving. I hope I didnt jump the gun and assume it was dying?

Edmund · Post by **Edmund** » 08 Mar 2007, 18:16

That is soo strange having a hermit crab lose most of its limbs while molting. I always thought they molted to get back their limbs not the other way around. I wish the best of luck for him, although I find it hard to imagine how it will survive with just one leg...

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 09 Mar 2007, 00:34

Sounds to me like it was stress. I am no expert though.

belly · Post by **belly** » 09 Mar 2007, 00:51

Its weird b/c this was the crab that was always shy. Never came out of burial except the eat and drink. Just surprising to find it in such a condition less than 12 hours after I checked on it. Now her abdomen was still moving, hence why i thought it was a grub worm..I took a picture, I just dont know if anyone would want to view it or how to u/l it. Im just concerned since I still have 2 others.

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 09 Mar 2007, 04:25

I will look at it. If you want you can email it to me. To upload it to this web page you would go to gallery and then click upload and go to where ever you have it and let it upload.

belly · Post by **belly** » 09 Mar 2007, 06:54

How would I email it? I mean, I know how through email if you have an address but Im not sure how to on a website?

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 10 Mar 2007, 18:31

Do you have it saved to your computer? My email address is momo836@peoplepc.com

Help!!! Molting emergency

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