cant find hermit crab

Question
Went to mist terrairum thismorning and there is no sign of our largest hermit crab.  Kids recall seeing it day before yesterday.  Have one shell heavier than others, but no sign of him in it.  How can it just disappear?

Answer
I have a few questions for you. DO you see the shell he was in? Did you check all items in the terrarium?

My best guess is that he may have burried under the substrate to molt. Hopefully he took his shell with him down under. If you can, look under your terrarium with a flashlight. See if you see anything on the bottom. I wouldn't go digging at the moment. If he is a big crab, a molt could take a month or more.
I would check the terrarium for a fishy smell. If no smell, thats a good sign.'
For more information please check out
http://www.hermitcrabaddiction.net/forum/
Take care,
Vicki