Skip to content

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Translate

The Crab Street Journal
The Crab Street Journal

Where hermit crab addicts go!

Primary Navigation Menu
Menu
  • Home
  • Shop for Hermit Crab Food
  • Hermit Crab Care
  • Hermit Crab Food Recipes
  • Hermit Crab Shells
  • Emergency Care for Pet Hermit Crabs: Handling Common Issues and Crises
  • Inside a Hermit Crab: Comprehensive Guide to Hermit Crab Anatomy
  • Hermit Crab Conservation and Advocacy: Protecting Their Future
  • Teacher’s Pet – Lesson Plans & Resources for Classrooms
  • Hermit Crab Downloadable Files
  • My account
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Linktree General
    • Linktree Community
    • Testimonials
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Media Kit
  • Land Hermit Crab Edu Center

molting

Hermit Crab Surface Molt

2015-09-07
In: Caresheets, FAQ

Hermit crabs typically go about their molting business below ground away from your prying eyes and nosey tank mates but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes you will find yourself with a surface molter on your hands. Surface molts can be very cool for you but additionally stressful for the crab. Let’s look at the best way to handle a surface molter. First do not touch or move the crab! Unless you feel you must to ensure it’s safety. Second find a way to securely isolate the crab from it’s tank mates. It is extremely important that your tank temperature and humidity are in theRead More →

Hermit Crab Care 101

2014-02-18
In: Caresheets, FAQ

Hermit Crab Care 101 – a guide for properly caring for your pet so that it thrives in captivity.Read More →

Regulation of Crustacean Molting: A Multi-Hormonal System

2013-02-21
In: Biology

The molting cycle in crustacean is controlled by hormones. Below is a snippet from a study on crustacean molting that explains the role of hormones in the molting cycle. Land hermit crabs continue to molt their entire life unlike some other crustaceans. ERNEST S . CHANGM, ARILYN J. BRUCEA, ND SHERRY L. TAMONEBodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, P.O. Box 247, Bodega Bay, California 94923 SYNOPSISIn order to increase in size, arthropods must first molt (shed) their confining exoskeleton. This molting process is under the immediate control of the steroid molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE). Read the full article More articles on molting:What is moltingIs myRead More →

FAQ Is my hermit crab dead or molting?

2012-10-14
In: FAQ

Determining whether your hermit crab is molting above ground (surface molt) or has passed away can be challenging, as both states may appear similar. During molting, hermit crabs often exhibit behaviors that might be mistaken for death. Molting Indicators: Assessing the Situation: Recommendations: In the early stages of the molt, the large cheliped (pincer) becomes somewhat paralyzed as it prepares to pull free of the old exoskeleton. The large shape of the claw must be pulled backwards through the smaller exoskeleton. The soft underlying tissue must be contracted to allow it to pass through the smaller parts of the exoskeleton. The hermit crabs’ equilibrium gland,Read More →

The Biology of Molting in Land Hermit Crabs: Understanding the Process

2012-10-14
In: Biology, FAQ

Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell and Lisa Loseke updated by Stacy Griffith Arthropods (e.g., insects and crustaceans) must molt their exoskeletons periodically in order to grow; in this process the inner layers of the old cuticle are digested by a molting fluid secreted by the epidermal cells, the animal emerges from the old covering, and the new cuticle hardens. The molting process is a central, and nearly continuous, part of a crab’s life. A hermit crab may spend 90% of its time getting ready to molt, molting, or recovering from a molt. There are many dangers to molting including predation, difficulty in movement as musclesRead More →

Pre Molt Symptoms

2012-09-25
In: Caresheets, FAQ

Observed Premolt Symptoms by Marie (aka ladybug15057) At times, crabbers become concerned due to certain actions their hermit crabs are beginning to display. Often, they are concerned that the hermit crab is ill, or has another form of complication happening that needs attention. Where, as on occasions, the symptoms they are observing may be due to a stressful situation, whether it be from their past or current living conditions, there are many times that the hermit crab is displaying pre molt symptoms. If one knows that he/she has provided the hermit crab with the essentials it needs to thrive (proper humidity level, proper temperature, properRead More →

Site Pages

  • 404 Page Not Found
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Contest Rules
    • CSJ Birthday Giveaway
    • Hermit Crab Pumpkin (Crab O’Lantern) Decorating Contest
    • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Hermit Crab!
  • Emergency Care for Pet Hermit Crabs: Handling Common Issues and Crises
  • Hermit Crab Care
  • Hermit Crab Coloring Pages
  • Hermit Crab Conservation and Advocacy: Protecting Their Future
  • Hermit Crab Downloadable Files
  • Hermit Crab Food Recipes
  • Hermit Crab Shells
  • Home
  • How to Help Hermit Crabs: Conservation and Advocacy Ideas
  • https://crabstreetjournal.org/store/
  • Inside a Hermit Crab: Comprehensive Guide to Hermit Crab Anatomy
  • My account
  • Newbies Guide to Hermit Crabs
  • Recipe Book for Hermit Crabs
  • Teacher’s Pet
  • Testimonials
  • The Importance of Returning Seashells to Beaches for Wild Hermit Crab Conservation
  • What’s New at Crab Street Journal
  • Where Hermit Crab Addicts Go!
  • Why you shouldn’t buy a hermit crab on vacation

Print and Download Categories

  • Educational
  • Hermit Crab Care Guides
    • Hermit Crab Care Guides Translated
  • Printables
    • Coloring Pages
  • References

Blog Categories

Cite CSJ as a Source

To cite this page as a source copy the text below and insert the unique url for each page you wish to cite.

Griffith, Stacy. Crab Street Journal. CrabStreetJournal.org, [URL] Accessed [DATE].

A source citation is not the same as obtaining permission for use under our Acceptable Use Policy.

The CSJ Online Shop has Moved!

Same CSJ Market New URL: https://crabstreetjournal.org/market

Visit the new shop

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Other Hermit Crab Websites

Land Hermit Crab Species
Stacy's hermit crab blog
Breeding Hermit Crabs
Crab Central Station
Purchase captive-bred land hermit crabs
Milo K Hermit Crab

Did you find my content helpful?

Consider buying my book! Everything from the website and so much more is covered in my book The Complete Guide to Land Hermit Crabs and Their Care: Changing the Mindset of Crab Keeping

Buy a signed copy today!

2001 - 2025© Crab Street Journal. All Rights Reserved. All content on this website, including but not limited to text, images, graphics, logos, videos, and digital downloads, is the property of Crab Street Journal or its respective content creators and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, modification, or commercial use of any material without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Certain trademarks, logos, and intellectual property featured on this site may belong to third parties and are used with permission. Any such materials remain the property of their respective owners. For permission requests or inquiries regarding content usage, please see our Acceptable Use Policy.