Molting

Before I begin this blog post I just want to say that posts may not becoming regularly. My laptop will no longer turn on even if it is charging on the cord - it basically went kaput on me. Unfortunately I'm using my mother's very slow computer, and in the mean time I'm not sure if blog posts will be up once a week. I am currently looking at a new Asus laptop (I love it, just saying), but I'm not sure when I'll be getting it. I'm hoping within the next two months due to school.

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Taking into consideration that Lily and Kermit are now both down for a molt (to my assumption) I will dedicate this post to the ins and outs of hermit crab molting.

Many of you may be asking yourself "what is molting?" Well, molting is the process of shedding their exoskeleton. They may molt for many reasons, but most commonly is that either their exo is too small or they are molting to regenerate limbs they have either broken/lost. They can molt very frequently, or not often at all. Smaller crabs tend to generally molt more often than larger ones, although I'm not entirely sure why. I do believe it's because they must grow, but that may not be the case.

Before your crab molts, you may notice a few signs. These signs would include: increased digging behavior (although if they only dig down during the day and eat at night then they're only destressing), their body turns to a ashy/grey color, increased appetite/thirst before they go down to dig, or they will grow gel-limbs before they go down to molt. Don't worry if you begin to see molting signs - crabs are masters at this. The only time you would have to worry is if you either find another crab attacking the molter or you smell a strong fishy scent (ultimately means death).

When you realize your crab is down for a molt, leave him/her alone. All you need to do is just keep the humidity/heat leveled in the tank and keep the tank dark as well as check the water and food (I use food that can last long without being replaced when they are down molting). Don't worry that they aren't eating - when they shed their exoskeleton they will eat it to absorb all of the needed minerals it supplies. Being left alone is their friend and you want to make sure there is as limited of stress as possible. They will come up eventually - but it can take up to two months, sometimes longer depending on the crab.

If you do, however, find that there are problems, it is always good to have an ISO tank. This is a simple tank that doesn't need much cleaning. All you need is 6-8 inches of substrate, a hide or two, a climbing toy, food/water dished, and a supplier for heat. You can move your molter into the ISO tank and place a hide atop of it, covering the opening with a shell and then covering the tank with a towel to keep it dark. They will be safe there.

Well that is all the information I can provide on molting. I found my research by this article as well as from my own experience. I hope you all enjoyed reading!

The New Tank Upgrades

Two weeks has passed since I got my crabs on July 10th and already a lot of things have changed. I have upgraded their tank - not by size, but by levels and interior decor. I have added another level to the tank by wrapping a locker shelf with burlap fabric from Walmart, which was only $2.09 for the one yard. I also bought vines and other climbing accessories as well as more shells. I have also added another type of substrate to the sand, which is called Eco Earth and you can buy them in packs of three bricks. You drop the bricks into a few gallons of dechlorinated water and they expand.  It is a dirt like substance and it gave my tank another few inches of digging room and I believe that both Lily and Kermit really like it. They both have dug down since I changed the substrate mix and I haven't seen them for two days. I assume they are beginning molt.

In other news, they both have also changed shells! They are both in turbo shells - Lily is in a peach colored one and Kermit is in a green turbo. Lily did change between many shells, but I think she's finally settled into the current one she's in.

Kermit

 Lily

The new tank upgrades









The only issue I am having now is that the humidity is not remaining constant in the tank. It has been colder here so my room is cooler, which now causes me to use the heat lamp. However, the heat lamp sucks out the humidity in the tank. I will definitely figure out something - my mom suggested getting some real plants so I may do that. I will also be buying some fish net to make a climbing net to get to the second level of the tank. It will look nice in the end when everything is figured out.

That is all for this week - thanks for reading!

The First Week

Only a week has passed and I have absolutely fallen in love with my two little hermit crabs. They are just the most interesting pet that I've ever owned. There is a lot of work involved - setting up the tank, changing the water/food bowls almost daily, keeping the temperature and humidity in check, making sure the crabs are alright throughout the day, and keeping another and smaller tank cleaned and correct in case one of the critters needs to go into isolation - and a lot of money as well in the beginning - for the tank, substrate, decor, climbing accessories, heaters, gauges, food, shells and the crabs themselves - but they are definitely worth every penny spent, and again, they really are intriguing pets.

Compared to a dog or a cat, hermit crabs are more extensive with work and can be a slight challenge to care for if you don't do your research, but they are equally enjoyable. Each of my crabs have their own personalities. Lily is quite the shy one - she comes out of her shell a lot quicker now, but she still gets spooked easily and isn't as rambunctious. On the other hand, Kermit is very outgoing and doesn't get frightened as easily. He also gets himself into trouble, weird as that might sound. He tends to climb everything and anything in sight, and then proceeds to get stuck and usually falls. Of course he's always okay, but it worries me nonetheless. He's a little dummy sometimes. Also, the two have specific places they claim to sleep at during the daylight hours. Lily normally sleeps in the coconut hut I have, and Kermit is usually beneath the moss pits. It's funny how they really are individuals of their own, but it's what makes them so spectacular. They also like certain foods more than others... and thus far I have found that they truly love coconut, mangoes, and sunflower seeds (all food items have been organic/unsweetened/unsalted/etc.).

Now onto other matters concerning my two little crustaceans.

During their first week I have changed up their tank - both with necessary changes and decorative ones. I have added more play sand substrate, and have upgraded their tank with a moss pit, vines, and a climbing branch. The vines need to be moved, and I am actually beginning to work on that issue today. I will post an update whenever that is finished. I'll also be adding a climbing net, isopods (potato bugs), and bark from my near by woods into the tank in the next week or two.

Below are just some pictures of the newly improved tank:

Oh, before I forget - I will be trying to post at least every week with updates on my crabs and other information concerning hermit crab care and questions.

~Thank you for reading!

Meet The Crabs

I"ll be honest... I have had a few blogs in my time, but sadly I had let them all die out due to boredom. I guess getting hooked on a certain blog topic is hard, especially when you realize no one is supporting you. However, I don't care anymore... I won't let myself care.  A blog is about your own enjoyment, right?

Anyway! For my first post on this new blog I shall introduce to you my two hermit crabs. I had gotten them last Wednesday (July 10th) from my local Petsmart and I have loved them since! Their names are Kermit and Lily and they're both Purple Pinchers.

Kermit:

Kermit is my more outgoing hermit crab. He doesn't take too long to come out of his shell and he enjoys crawling everywhere you set him and it quite quick.

Lily:

Lily, on the other hand, is more timid and takes a lot longer to come out of her shell. She gets scared easily, but she's a joy to have around especially when you're reading or on the computer.

Crabitat:

Their tank is a 29 gallon fixed with a heating mat, a heating lamp (only used when it gets too cold in my room), two hiding places, climbing mats on either side, a climbing branch, food/water dishes, and of course more shells for when they change.  It's basic for now, but I plan on upgrading it as soon as possible.

For now, that is all - I will be posting a new blog post once a week, or more often if I feel the need or if people arise and seem to be interested in my new blog. As for now, thank you for reading!