subject: Hermit Crab Molting Is A Normal Process [print this page] Shells are very important part of the hermit crab. These little creatures carry them as their houses around on their back, so it is much easier to move around and find food. They can adjust through these shells with appropriate weather conditions. During this growth spurt, the hermit crab sheds its shell and searches for a bigger one to call home and this natural and regular survival process known as molting.
Although it may be difficult for owners, Molting is how the crab grows. This process is vital to provide your crabs with the optimal environment and solitude during this time. Hermit crab molting is a stressful process and makes them vulnerable to many dangers during this process, so extra care has to be taken to ensure the health and safety of your molting crabs. Since he lives inside a hard outer casing, he cannot grow larger except in the short time while his exoskeleton is soft, directly after completing his molt and before his skin hardens up.
Displaying of peculiar behaviors prior to molting is very natural for hermit crabs. During hermit crab molting for marine hermit crab happens so fast that owners of such crabs usually do not even notice when the whole process completes. While for land hermit crab owners can often be difficult the pet may behave as it is dead, but if one carefully looks there is visible pink undergrowth. Usually in ten days or so the crab becomes fine. Proper attention and with an understanding of hermit crab behavior, it is easy to know if your land hermit crab is molting.
Time periods for the molting vary according to the size, type and age of crabs, small crabs may molt every month or so, but larger crabs molt once every one and half year. Generally, they need two or three shells of varying sizes for them to choose from. However, the crab will need new, larger shells to move into.
It is recommended that through isolating the molter from the others by blocking off an area of isolation for him or transporting others to another area so that it gives least disturbance for the pet growing under molting. As the crab molts, it will grow, just a little each time. If you have a pet hermit crab, he will require special care during the molting phase. So to make your little pet more comfortable for your pet crab, understand it is a normal process and do not try to modify this natural process.
