HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Does anyone know what's the longest amount of time crabs molt?

2 of my Hermit Crabs have been underground since October. Yes, October. I'm worried they might be dead.

I won't dig them up, just in case.

The tank doesn't smell like anything's dead.

They're both 4 years old. They have never molted for more than 2.5 months.

I'm very worried.

julie71e wrote:Does anyone know what's the longest amount of time crabs molt?

2 of my Hermit Crabs have been underground since October. Yes, October. I'm worried they might be dead.

I won't dig them up, just in case.

The tank doesn't smell like anything's dead.

They're both 4 years old. They have never molted for more than 2.5 months.

I'm very worried.

From what I've read it's possible they can take up to 8 months.

Yep, we had a trusted member who had one down for 8 months straight.

julie71e wrote:Does anyone know what's the longest amount of time crabs molt?

2 of my Hermit Crabs have been underground since October. Yes, October. I'm worried they might be dead.

I won't dig them up, just in case.

The tank doesn't smell like anything's dead.

They're both 4 years old. They have never molted for more than 2.5 months.

I'm very worried.

I have a crab that has been down since September. I'm also worried, but it's best to wait and see!


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Try not to worry! I know it is easier said than done! They can come up when you aren't aware, and then go back down.

We are here for you to offer support! :grouphug:

I have a crab that's molting right now and he's been down almost three weeks. I know he'll eventually re-surface. I've been steeling myself NOT to dig for him.

julie71e wrote:Does anyone know what's the longest amount of time crabs molt?

2 of my Hermit Crabs have been underground since October. Yes, October. I'm worried they might be dead.

I won't dig them up, just in case.

The tank doesn't smell like anything's dead.

They're both 4 years old. They have never molted for more than 2.5 months.

I'm very worried.

The older they get the longer they molt don't worry they could take up to 3 to 4 months

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Thank you all. I just couldn't imagine they would have enough shell water saved up for this long. I feel better now.

julie71e wrote:Thank you all. I just couldn't imagine they would have enough shell water saved up for this long. I feel better now.

They have a special organ on their body that stores nutrients and fluid, called a molting sac. This sustains them during the process.

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They also go into a hibernation-like state which slows their need for sustenance. Between that and the molt sac, they can survive months underground without dying of starvation and dehydration, so long as the substrate they are in is kept moist to prevent dessication.