When hermit crabs lose their shells they can become very vulnerable. This is because without their shells they are exposed to air, heat and light.
In addition, they may not be able to store enough salts and other minerals which are necessary during the molting process.
Excessive Heat or Cold
Hermit crabs are very sensitive to the temperature of their environment and can suffer from excessive heat or cold. Ideally hermit crabs should be kept in an enclosure that has a range of temperatures, with the coolest part of their tank being around 65°F and the warmest being 80°F or higher.
Temperatures inside a hermit crab’s tank should be monitored with an accurate thermometer. If temperatures start to rise above 82°F, they can be dangerous for your crabs and may even cause them to die.
One way to prevent temperatures from climbing too high is to place a hot water bottle or some rocks in the tank. You can also try using hand warmers and wrapping towels or blankets around the tank to insulate it from the cold outside air.
Another method of warming the crabs’ habitat is to use a heat lamp, but make sure it’s placed far enough from the tank so that it doesn’t cook your crabs. You can also spray the enclosure with warm water to help raise the humidity and keep your crabs’ environment at a more comfortable temperature.
Keeping hermit crabs in a container or tank with a very deep substrate will also help them stay warm. This is because sand acts as an insulator, so your crabs will be able to burrow down and get their heat from the ground.
In extreme cases where you can’t do any of these things, hermit crabs can be cooled off by adding water to their shells or lining their cages with ice cubes. Just be sure that the ice isn’t too big and it doesn’t have a soft material that your hermit crabs might puncture, you don’t want them to get burnt.
Hermit crabs should be given a variety of fresh food to eat, including fruit and vegetables. You can also offer dried foods, but you should check the label for sulphates and other nasties.
Hermit crabs require a lot of care in order to live happy and healthy lives. They are highly intelligent, and if you provide them with good food, water, a comfy home, and a safe environment they will be very happy and healthy.
Molting
During the process of molting, hermit crabs shed their old exoskeleton and replace it with a new one. This is a natural process that occurs in many animals, including humans, dogs, cats, and snakes.
Before a crab molts, it usually becomes less active and shows little interest in other hermit crabs or food until the molting process is complete. They may also become less interested in their shell and will try on several different types before settling on the one they like best.
After a successful molt, the crab will most likely appear much larger than they were before and be very excited to be out of its shell. They will often explore and climb more than they did before molting, even though their new shell is not as big as it was before.
Crabs will consume more food and water during the molt. This is because they will be consuming more energy while their exoskeleton hardens and they are regenerating new cells.
Hermit crabs will typically eat more foods during the molting process than they normally do, because these foods offer high levels of protein. They will also start storing extra water and fat in a small black bubble in the left side of their stomach under their fifth pair of legs.
During the molting process, hermit crabs use water to help create a barrier between their old and new exoskeletons so that they can safely break free and be buried. They also need to be kept in a dark, cool environment while they are undergoing this process, as it can cause them stress and anxiety.
After the molt, hermit crabs will often become more active and be very excited to be out of their shell. They will most likely appear much larger than they werebefore and be very excited to be out of their tank, as they will be able to bury their exoskeleton and be surrounded by the warm comfort of the habitat again.
It is important to provide hermit crabs with plenty of empty shells available in their habitat for them to try on before they decide on a new shell. This will make it easier for them to transition into a new home after the molt is completed.
Irritation
Hermit crabs can become irritated when they find themselves unable to get back into their shell. This could be a result of a number of different reasons, including environmental factors.
The first thing to do is check for any underlying issues, such as mites or other irritants that have gotten stuck inside the shell. Then, clean the crab’s shell appropriately and remove the irritants from the body to ensure that the crab isn’t experiencing any discomfort.
If the crab still refuses to go back into its shell, you may need to separate it from its habitat and place it in an isolation bowl. Lower it into the cup and cover it with a washcloth so that it’s dark in there, which should help it to feel secure enough to return to its shell.
Once you’ve re-introduced the hermit crab to its environment, keep offering food and water as well as maintaining the correct temperature and humidity in the tank or paludarium. It should take a little time, but eventually the crab should settle in and begin to choose its new home.
While your hermit crab is waiting for a suitable housing option, make sure it gets plenty of variety in its diet. Hermit crabs are naturally scavengers, so it’s important that they have a variety of foods to choose from.
In addition to offering a range of fruits and vegetables, offer different protein sources such as shrimp, silver sides, krill, bloodworms, and meal worms. It’s also helpful to use a combination of sweet and salty foods to stimulate their appetite.
Another reason your hermit crab might refuse to go back into its shell is that it is molting. Hermit crabs need to molt their exoskeleton so that they can grow and harden it before their next change of shell.
When your hermit crab molts, it will shed its old shell and then start digging around underneath the substrate searching for a new shell that is smaller and more suitable to its size. While this is happening, it can be stressful for the hermit crab, so it will probably be hesitant to return to its shell until it is fully molted and has regained its energy.
Injury
Hermit crabs that are left without a shell often die. This is not a common thing but it can happen in the wild and in pet stores.
In the wild, hermit crabs use their shells to protect their soft abdomen and prevent desiccation (drying out). This is a natural process that helps them survive. Hermit crabs that do not have shells are often prone to desiccation because they cannot store water in their bodies.
This can lead to serious problems such as a collapsed shell and death if not looked after properly. It is important to know how to spot a hermit crab that is suffering from this problem so that you can give it the help it needs as quickly as possible.
Some hermit crabs that are left without a shield or shell will have a limp, wriggly antenna and seem to be lethargic. They may also have a rotting smell. This is a sign that they are dying from Post Purchase Stress, or PPS for short.
The best way to avoid this situation is by making sure you have a variety of spare shells in the tank, and always having the next size up or down available for your hermies. Hermies need a range of sizes in order to feel comfortable and happy, so having a lot of them means if one gets too big for its shell it can still find a new home.
Hermit crabs can be kept alone as pets but they do best in a group. They can get lonely and depressed very easily so it is important to make sure they have other hermies.
It is a good idea to pick at least three hermit crabs, but if you can afford more, it would be better to get them all together as they will grow to be bigger and need a bigger home. A hermit crab that is left alone will often become very stressed and can suffer from shell fighting or moulting.
If you are concerned that a hermit crab that you have purchased is not getting the care it needs, don’t hesitate to approach the shop to ask them how they are looking after your hermie. It can be a difficult thing to do, but it is the right thing to do.