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Based on a question I saw someone post elsewhere, I am thinking we should have a care article on how to prepare to successfully move your hermit crabs when you are moving into a new home. I want to look at the steps to prepare for a in town move versus an out of state move. Tell me how you would prepare your hermit crabs for a move across town and a move to another state. No wrong ideas or suggestions here…we are brainstorming!
My first thought on this is that if this is a planned moved you will know in advance and have time to prepare.
First would be to set up a smaller tank with only moss as a substrate (to prevent digging down) to be temporary housing before and during the move. My first instinct is that maybe three months out you start moving anyone who is above ground to the temporary tank. As other crabs surface, they get moved as well. The goal would be that by moving day everyone would be above ground and in the temporary tank. With only moss in the tank you shouldn’t have to worry too much about molters. Of course there could be a surface molter. Is three months enough time? Too much time? There is a chance for overcrowding but that be more tolerable than digging up molters at the last minute. Thoughts?I would think at least 3 months if your tank contains larger crabs. I can’t imagine having to move mine. My middle daughter, who lives 5 hours away once gave my older daughter a tank, that she thought still had a molter down. We managed to move that one tank and all, but it was stressful for all of us.
I know that I would want more than one transfer tank, to keep the really large and the really little separate and avoid overcrowding them. I have an E that is larger and a brat if things aren’t going her way.
I also think that you would have to consider the actual transport. Are you going to be able to fit them into the back of the mini van or will they end up in the moving van because the dog has to go in the van? I once moved 3 kids and a dog overseas in a regular sedan. We had to travel from CA to NJ over a 30 day period first. It took a lot of planning to be sure that everyone had what they needed for such a long trip AND that we were all comfortable. Crabs need temperature control, so not under an A/C vent or the trunk.
They can skip food for a short period, a day or two, but need water. I think I’d try one of those small dishes with the bottle that keeps the dish full and try to avoid a big spill on the way.
I think if the moss was really damp when you started it would hold enough humidity for a day or two, but if it is a longer trip than that you would need access to mist and if it is too hot or too cold they can’t stay in the vehicle overnight.
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