QuestionHi, My hermit crab came out of its shell this morning and was wandering the
tank. I quickly went to the pet store and purchased a few new shell just in case
it was in need of a bigger shell. I seperated it from the other crab and put it
in a smALL tuberware with little sand, his old shell,and 2 new shells. I put a
cover with holes in it for air and I even tried to get it to back into the shell
by tapping on its head the way one website suggests. I dont think it could be
molting. I am new to this. we had another and it died for no apparent reason and
I dont want anything to happen to another one. Please help. ASAP! I appreciate
any advise you could tell me.
AnswerPick up his old shell and rinse it out with declorinated water. Back his little tush into the shell. Once he's as far back as you can comfortably get him, THEN tap on the top of his head very gently. The goal is to startle him to create the "withdraw" reflex. He will then naturally withdraw into the shell.
If this does not work, check his abdomen for injury or swelling. Also check temperature. If it is too hot or too humid a crab will sometimes leave their shells.
