Hermit Crabs Exoskeletons Hello Mr. I purchased 6 blue leg hermit crabs about a month ago, and today found what I believe to be two molted exoskeletons and everything I’ve read refers to them as such, but always prefaced with ‘probably’. A quick count of moving shells re-affirmed that there were no dead crabs, however, is there any solid way to tell the difference between an exoskeleton and a dead crab asides from this slow method? Thanks for your help, Josh

Crabs entertain so many different aquatic niches

Help. Hermit crabs I need some advice. My co-worker brought back some hermit crabs as a gift that he found on a beach in Gulfport. He brought them as a gag but I was dead serious about taking care of them. I filled an aquarium with sand and plants and did the whole sponge and pellet thing since he said they were land critters. They weren’t moving and a couple actually died. I had no idea what to do. My husband said they were probably sick and suffering and to put them in water and let them die in water as they were meant to. Turned out once in water they stared walking around, swapping shells, etc. They are obviously aquatic crabs, They have hairy striped legs and are pretty aggressive to each other. What the heck do I do now? I have no idea. Please help me with anything you can. I live in Arizona. I could always take them to California. I’d appreciate anything you could tell me. Barbara

I place them inside the a container once i spotted they were every real time and you may saw them

Coenobita clypeatus is good terrestrial hermit crab utilized in warm and you will sub-exotic parts. Living in moist section that it terrestrial hermit crab try an excellent nocturnal scavenger using a great gastropod shell to guard the soft human body parts. These types of creatures have become social, foraging and you may travelling for the teams. While C. clypeatus may more be very social the latest types is known to be aggressive into the almost every other hermit crabs in their class so you can inexpensive greatest suitable shells. C. clypeatus is also cannibalistic and certainly will eat insecure molting crabs. Due to the fact red pincher hermit crab is actually terrestrial it should come back toward water to spawn and you can launch it’s larvae on water.