Hermit crab dead or alive

Question
Hi,
My hermit crab Love left her shell this morning and was looking around at the other shells in her tank so I figured she was home shopping.  When I came home this evening I found her in her coconut sleeping area just laying there.  I am not sure if she molted and this is her shedding or if she is dead.  I put new water in her water holder and put new food in.  But I am not sure what to tell my daughter.

Answer
Joyce,                                                       Check the other shells see if she is in one of them. Their shed is hollow. If it is her she may not be dead. They dehydrate very fast out of their shell. Spray her down. If she is dead you will smell it very quickly.Sometimes they streak. I have a couple that do it. You just have to spray them down offer lots of shells even the old one... they will usually go in one.You can get stress coat from your pet shop and try to coax her into a shell. If its bad news. I don't know how old your daughter is , but you can tell her she went to the petshop to get another shell. Alot of parents do that. I hope things are going to be ok,,, please let me know what happened...Tina