Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
-
Topic author - Posts: 570
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:10 am
Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
My two crabs have been buried consistently for 2-3 days, they both dug down in the moss pit. If they are both molting in the same spot will they cannibalize? If so how can I prevent it?
-
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 8:45 pm
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
All three of my hermit crabs buried in the same spot.
How big is your moss pit?
How big is your moss pit?
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
My guess is that neither or them are molting. It is very common for hermit crabs to just hang out in the moss pit for a while; they really like the moss. When I put my first moss pit in, a couple of my crabs went in there and would not leave it. I was happy that they liked it, but I was worried about the same thing. They eventually went on to do other things in the tank though.
Unless a crab is ill or in desperate need of molting, they usually will not molt anywhere near another crab. They are pretty smart and do well to protect themselves from being attacked while molting. It is why when they bury in the substrate to molt they do not begin to actually molt until they have found a spot that they have determined is a safe place to do so; they will sit in the same spot for days or longer just for that reason.

Unless a crab is ill or in desperate need of molting, they usually will not molt anywhere near another crab. They are pretty smart and do well to protect themselves from being attacked while molting. It is why when they bury in the substrate to molt they do not begin to actually molt until they have found a spot that they have determined is a safe place to do so; they will sit in the same spot for days or longer just for that reason.

~Ashley
I have 3 PP's, 1 E, and a puppy. :) Hermit Crabbing since August '04 R.I.P: to the crabs I have lost and R.I.P. Rocky(my first pet).
I make and sell all-natural, chemical and dye free hermit crab food on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHappyHermi ... p_redirect
I have 3 PP's, 1 E, and a puppy. :) Hermit Crabbing since August '04 R.I.P: to the crabs I have lost and R.I.P. Rocky(my first pet).
I make and sell all-natural, chemical and dye free hermit crab food on Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHappyHermi ... p_redirect
-
Topic author - Posts: 570
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:10 am
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
hermitcrab24 wrote:All three of my hermit crabs buried in the same spot.
How big is your moss pit?
It's just a small Tupperware bowl.
-
Topic author - Posts: 570
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:10 am
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
Thank you I feel a lot better now!Rebecca C wrote:My guess is that neither or them are molting. It is very common for hermit crabs to just hang out in the moss pit for a while; they really like the moss. When I put my first moss pit in, a couple of my crabs went in there and would not leave it. I was happy that they liked it, but I was worried about the same thing. They eventually went on to do other things in the tank though.![]()
Unless a crab is ill or in desperate need of molting, they usually will not molt anywhere near another crab. They are pretty smart and do well to protect themselves from being attacked while molting. It is why when they bury in the substrate to molt they do not begin to actually molt until they have found a spot that they have determined is a safe place to do so; they will sit in the same spot for days or longer just for that reason.
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
What kind of moss do you use?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Topic author - Posts: 570
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:10 am
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
crabmommy wrote:What kind of moss do you use?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I use the exoterra grow blocks. (I think that's what it's called)
Re: Two crabs buried literally right next to each other
Cuddle buddies! 

4 Purple Pinchers (Hodor, Spree, Rosie, Leonardo, and Lucy), 1 Strawberry (Denver), 4 Ecuadorians (Dexter, Leeloo, Ghost, and Dr. Zoidberg)
1 Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Thorin)
1 Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Thorin)