QuestionMy daughter got a hermit crab last year for Christmas from her sister. It just molted about three days ago. We did not know very much about hermit crabs so we thought that 'Larry' was dead. We put him in a small plastic baggie on the counter for about three days. This morning my daughter saw the molt and a pink 'Larry' was moving in the plastic baggie. We took him out and he was very soft. My daughter was trying to help 'Larry' around his cage when his big claw fell off. I read on this site that it will not grow back until he molts again. I was not sure if he would be like that for another year. I still have the hard molt of the claw, should I put it in for 'Larry' to eat? If he does eat it will his claw grow back faster?
AnswerWhen a crab is newly molted it is very weak and fragile. The shell is very soft and this is a crucial time for them to be left alone. The stress of being bathed and handled is probably what caused him to drop his large claw. He will not grow it back until he molts and it will not be full size again for probably two molts.
He should be allowed to eat any of his exoskeleton that is left but not a "dropped" claw.
Please go and read this link, it has some very helpful information.
http://naturallycrabby.com/home/blog1.php/2007/02/13/before-you-bring-your-crab-...
