My crab dead?

Question
QUESTION: My hermit crab was found under one of his hiding places and my brother thinks its dead one of its leg's is like off and it isnt moving? I was also wondering what is molting?

ANSWER: If only one leg is off he is not molting but that doesn't mean he is dead. When a crab is stressed he may drop one or more of his legs.

Is he a new crab?

What is your tank like? Do they have salt and fresh water?

What is the temperature and humidity?

The answers to these questions will help me figure out what is happening.

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

QUESTION: `Its not a new crab its been here for about 6 months since the summer.
The tank is clean and has lots of hiding places, yes the y do.
Um the tempature varies from 70's to 80's sometimes lower its hard to keep a steady temperature in the winter, i got no clue about humidity.

Answer
Your first priority should be to see what the humidity is. Crabs really do need humidity between 72 and 84 to survive. They breath through modified gills. It is likely that the dry air during the winter has stressed his system.

Try getting some natural moss and wetting it with salt water and placing it in the tank to help with hte humidity.