The Predictive Power of Poop ?

[DragonsFly]

Having lots of rescue experience with multiple species, I know that poop can be a very valuable sign of the state of an animal's health. And I know what my crabs' poop used to look like, before this past year when I moved, and they spent about 9 months at a foster home --at which one of the three tragically died, so SOMEthing was off there! Since I've gotten the two of them finally shipped to Florida, Major Tom has struggled up and down, spending most of the time underground. I hope that he is strong enough to molt if that is what he needs to do, but I suppose there's nothing much I can do if he isn't, I suppose, but maintain conditions and hope and pray.

In the meantime, the other crab (I'm not certain which of the other two survived) has been reasonably active, after spending about a week in the moss pit. Eating quite a bit, and at first, really no poop that I could find (although two-thirds of the tank is mixed EE and sand, so it's quite possible I just didn't see it). When I did start seeing poop, it was extremely thin, thread-like, thinner than even when my original two crabs were much, much smaller. And just now, I just removed some that was kind of like a bead bracelet in appearance (sorry can't do pics); again, I've never seen crab poop that looks like this. I can't help wondering if it is indicating some kind of deficit that I could and should be addressing in diet, supplements, or other conditions.

Anybody with extensive poop-observation experience have any thoughts on whether and how hermit poop equates to health?

[JoeHermits]

I’ve heard of hermit crab diarrhea, but I’ve no idea how that would be treated. I may have to try to find where I read that for more info.

I do like the idea of using feces as a health indicator, but since hermit crabs are omnivores the shape if their feces could as much indicate their latest meals as their health (more uniform shape means more plants and fiber, etc.).

I am interested, though, so I’d like to see what others have to say.


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[JoeHermits]

Hey, I found an old Hermit Crab Paradise topic on the subject.

http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com/forum ... =58&t=2563


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[DragonsFly]

Thanks; yeah, I've seen it different colors from various things--like the classic orange carrot poop, and greensand poop that was clearly greensand poop; but mine have always had a fairly consistent shape to it--a tube-like extrusion of basically uniform size around (like if you squeeze a tube of toothpaste out onto a long surface, you'll get a pretty uniform column), but different lengths. Now to have it varying size, sometimes a very thin string, and sometimes looking like a bead bracelet--I've just never seen that before.

[Motörcrab]

It's hard to say what all could change the consistency of their poop. Changes to what they eat from day to day, even what type of water they have been drinking or what is stored in their shells could change it too.

I tend to consider any poop I find is a good sign they are eating and their bodies are working properly. I have yet to see and carrot or greensand turds. Most of what I see is up to an inch long brown frown.

[Crabby in NJ]

. Most of what I see is up to an inch long brown frown.


Lmao! Me too! Now last night, speaking of poop, I was checking out the huge cork round I have for them to see how bad the split was and come to find out, I haven’t been seeing any brown frowns bc they r letting them reside in there with them! Is that normal?

[Motörcrab]

Crabs drop a deuce wherever they want! I somehow I find piles "IN" empty shells, logs on logs, in food dishes, in their wheels, in their waters, even on other crabs. Pretty much anywhere they want. I have see some areas collect several piles.

Now that last paragraph could make an absolutely hysterical children's book! Hermit Crabs Poop, Everywhere! "Hermit crabs can poop on a dish, sometimes even on a fish. Hermit crabs will poop on the sand, sometimes even in your hand! Crab will poop a dark, dark brown, even in the shape of frowns!"

[Crabby in NJ]

Crabs drop a deuce wherever they want! I somehow I find piles "IN" empty shells, logs on logs, in food dishes, in their wheels, in their waters, even on other crabs. Pretty much anywhere they want. I have see some areas collect several piles.

Now that last paragraph could make an absolutely hysterical children's book! Hermit Crabs Poop, Everywhere! "Hermit crabs can poop on a dish, sometimes even on a fish. Hermit crabs will poop on the sand, sometimes even in your hand! Crab will poop a dark, dark brown, even in the shape of frowns!"

Lmmfao!! absolutely perfect!