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Hi, I am a new hermit crab owner..I got 2 pet strawberry hermit crabs in November and since then I have gotten six more which I believe are Indos...First off I have a small hermit crab named Chance that I got just after the two strawberries who was missing limbs when I got him...He seemed very lathargic when I first took him home but then he surface molted and with in a week was running around and climbing..right now he is the most active crab I have..He seems to get along fine but will the fact that he has missing limbs give him a chance of not living as long?
Secondly all 7 of the other crabs seem to be digging alot..I rarely ever see them..I uncovered one the other day to see if it was ok and I found it molting so I gently buried her back over.  since then she has been up one day to eat and drink and has been gone again..what are the chances that all 7 are molting at the same time?
I have a 30 galon tank..half of my tank is a coconut fiber substrate and half is play sand. They have lots to climb on, a coconut hut and a larger rock hut..There are artificial plants they seem to like to climb on and a dish of salt water, a dish of fresh water, and fresh food everyday..I have heat lights and I keep the temperature at about 78 and the humidity at about 80..Is there something I am doing wrong or do you think they are molting. At night even when they don't come up I can sometimes hear them digging tunnels and moving..

Answer
Candace,   As far as Chance's limbs, they will grow back in a couple more molts ....It does not affect their life span. Crabs like to hide during the day especially. Some of mine do some don't each one will have their own personality you will get to know them. Mine are very active at night and much lazier in the day....lol I don't think they are molting because when they molt they will not come out for food. The tunnel digging is common. I have to tell you your temps and humidity are all good and everyone is eating and sound very happy. You are doing fine. I am going to send you one of my favorite care guides!!!! The crabitat sounds like a little crabby paradise!!! If you come across anything you want to ask me about or have any problem's with your babies just ask. Good Work, Tina

P.S.  Always have tons of shells in there I have some that like to change daily (my fashionista's) I also have a couple that like to streak now and then.....lol It will definately save you the worry of having a crabby dehydrate or force coaxing him into a shell later.   


 http://hermit-crabs.com/care.html