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Worried Crab Owner

21 14:53:11

Question
QUESTION: I have had Chibi (Japanese for Shrimpy because he's tiny) and Scaredy (Total Fraidy cat) for almost a year. But lately, my more ambitious crab, Chibi, has gone lethargic and I'm concerned he's trying to molt. The thing is, I don't know what to do. Chibi and Scaredy get along really well. They used to sleep in the same little hole in the substrate. But lately, Chibi's switched to a much smaller shell and has taken to sleeping next to his water dish most of the time. What can I do to help him?

ANSWER: Just make sure that your humidity and temperatures are in a good range 74-82. He knows what to do if he is going to molt.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know I just asked something similar, but I'm a bit concerned about a few factors. This morning, Chibi decided to run around naked and I tried putting him back in his shell. Does streaking mean he's getting ready to molt? Also, when I picked him up after school today, he was stiff as a board. The only signs he was alive was the lack of fishy smell and the fact that his atennae twitched slightly. I put him inside a hollow decoration for privacy. Did I do the correct thing? Finally, what should I do about my other hermit crab? I have nowhere to place him or Chibi after Chibi possibly molts.

Answer
Streaking is rarely a sign of impending molt and more often indicates that something is wrong with your environmental factors like humidity and temperature. And while you did the right thing, unless the environmental factors are corrected, you just won't be able to keep your crabs alive. :(