Hermit crab out of his shell

Question

My hermit crab   My hermit crab is out of his shell but he isn't dead. He moves his claws every now and then but he won't go back in his shell. I know it's possible he could be molting but I can see a good amount of sand on his back, the part that goes into the shell. I wanted to know if I can touch his back to wipe off the sand. I don't want to disturb him if he's molting but I don't want the sand on his back since he has clean shells and I don't want him to be bothered by the sand. So is it okay if I just wipe off the sand very gently or should I just leave him alone? Thank you.

Answer
Brenna, Uh oh you have a streaker. O.K first he can molt from his shell. Do not touch his abdomen. The sand will not bother him that's why you keep the salt bath in there for them. They will take care of that. On the other hand if you do not get him into a shell the chances of dehydration are very high. What you can do right now is mist him well. Tomorrow go and get a few more shells. Sometimes they get picky. I have a couple that like to streak for a day or two then in they go. If he or she starts molting just keep the crab misted till its done then a few days to harden abit. If it is not molting what you can do is two things I find work very well privacy and quiet. Cover the tank and put it in a nice quiet spot or if need be you can go to the pet shop and buy what is called stress coat you can dip his abdomen into it and carefully try to coax it into a bigger shell putting him or her in abdomen first and let it slide in gently . You will feel it latch on if it likes it. If he or she is molting I would still cover the tank if it is molting darkness speeds up the process. The biggest sign of a molting crab is digging....make sure your sand is deep enough if it hasn't started molting in a day or two like I said try coaxing it into new shell. Brenna, you do have an under the tank heater for this crab I hope. Well from the looks of it now that I looked at your pic.......honey, he or she does not look good. I need you to take and rinse it carefully do not rub and run water tepid and slow just to wash sand off and tell me if you see small black or red dots on its abdomen and get back to me right away. If your water needs to be dechlorinated as soon as you do put it in a bowl with that water and rinse it that way. Get a magnifying glass if you have too. This little one looks like it may be trying to escape a parasite infestation. Now behind her or his last set of legs if she is a she it will have two black spot one on each side these are gonopores and it is a girl don't confuse that with little specks of black or red. Also, have you added anything from outside to your tank. Like a pretty rock or anything. Awaiting your answer sweety. I will be right here., Tina This would be worse case scenario but, don't worry until you have to OK. , Tina