Bent Leg?

[Motörcrab]

I just received this guy through an adoption today. He has a bum leg that doesn't appear to bend at the last joint and it points straight out when he hides in his shell.

The previous owner said he noticed it after he came up from a molt. I have never seen this before but I'm sure someone else has. I am thinking after a molt or two it should correct itself.

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[wodesorel]

Yep, molting accident. His leg got stuck, or he got startled and moved at exactly the wrong moment after shedding.

It should fix itself on his next molt, as it's just a matter of hardening in the right position. Don't be surprised if he drops the leg entirely though, it'll hamper normal movement and some of them just can't deal with it.

I have had crabs that chose a shell that caused a deformity during molts on a continuous basis. If he fits well in his I doubt that's the issue.

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[Motörcrab]

That's good to know! Thanks. He seems to fit alright in his shell aside from that leg not tucking in right. So far he's been climbing around on netting and Cholla like everybody else.

I guess this is one of the reasons everyone says not to dig or disturb molter's unless it's an emergency.

[Motörcrab]

Wendigo finally molted once for me. If this is Wendigo for sure. His funky bent leg is back to normal again! There may be just an ever so slight bend to it now but nothing that would affect mobility. I got him out to give him a quick post molt inspection. I took a picture but it was bad. I'll try to get another one later.

He went down to molt shortly after we redid the 75 due to the bacterial bloom around March 31 and he resurfaced May 11th.



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[curlysister]

Right on! It is amazing how they can repair themselves with a molt!