Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
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KellyCrabbieLove
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Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:11 pm

My husband checked her yesterday morning and said she was gone. I was waiting for the smell. I couldn't bear to even look in anymore. I didn't have a light on and the tank is insulated on the back so just light from the window partially coming in one side. I see the coconut hut is flipped and figure it is from my husband checking her. When I was about to walk away I noticed the legs all over and what looked like her behind a shell like she had lost legs in the tank and then died there. I look closer and she is IN THE SHELL. I tapped on the glass and she closed her claw. I freak out and my mind starts racing with everything I need for her right then and there. While I am rummaging through ny crab stuff ny husband takes my phone and turns the light on the get a true look. He yells that he thinks she surface molted. I run back and he is right. he starts freaking out saying to get her water and food now and that she hasn't had anything in 3 days.

I pick her up and this is what I see.

Image

Looks like she started to surface molt so she was ripped out of her shell because she smelled so delicious to them. I stepped in just in time. The peeling on her abdomen was skin she was shedding it would appear. How did she harden so quickly? I am so...flabbergasted right now.

True testament as to why waiting for the smell is so important even when it is so heartbreaking.
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hermitcrab24
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by hermitcrab24 » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:18 pm

Wow, that's amazing!! Glad you saw her when you did. I've heard hermit crabs molt faster during surface molts. I'm so glad she is ok!! :)

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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:27 pm

I just can't believe she's alive. I had accepted she was gone and was trying to get up the nerve to remove her from the iso tank.
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
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hermitcrabdc
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by hermitcrabdc » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:36 pm

That's amazing Kelly! I'm so happy she is okay, she's beautiful :)
Crabbing since July 2013!
4 PPs - Chloe, Tani, Kono, McGarrett

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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:50 pm

Thank you! Me too!!!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
#2 rule of crabbing - see above

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CallaLily
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by CallaLily » Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:11 pm

That's so awesome! Go Hera! :banana:

Is she eating her exo? That's the main thing right now. Is she missing a walking leg or is it just the angle? Either way she looks great! It's amazing what they can survive! :D

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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:50 pm

She is eating her exo. It looks like the trauma just kept some extra exo on one of her walking legs from coming off. They had a leg when I found her so my guess is that was where they had ahold of her. It'll fix itself in her next molt. I feel like I am on top of the world right now.
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
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CallaLily
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by CallaLily » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:59 pm

Oh yeah, for sure will grow back in the next couple molts. Loss of a leg seems minimal in an attack like that. You must have caught it quick!

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soilentgringa
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by soilentgringa » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:43 pm

Yayyy for Hera!!! So happy that she made it!

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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:41 pm

CallaLily wrote:Oh yeah, for sure will grow back in the next couple molts. Loss of a leg seems minimal in an attack like that. You must have caught it quick!
She actually didn't lose it, it just has extra exo where it didn't come off where they pinched her. I will try to get a picture of it when she is out and about the next time. She used to be afraid of me. I think she realized I saved her because she is being really sweet.

I was checking on them in the tote every time I heard a noise. Even a shell clank got checked because I was concerned since most had been dug up. Good thing!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Mon Feb 09, 2015 9:42 pm

soilentgringa wrote:Yayyy for Hera!!! So happy that she made it!
Me too!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
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YYWW
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by YYWW » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:15 pm

Hooray for Hera! I am so happy for you! She looks awesome, all chubby legged in her PP goodness. You were her divine intervention! What a feat for both of you. YAY!!!


Crabbers unite!!!

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CallaLily
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by CallaLily » Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:04 am

KellyCrabbieLove wrote: She actually didn't lose it, it just has extra exo where it didn't come off where they pinched her.
Ah, sorry for misunderstanding. :oops: So she pulled through almost perfectly. Amazing! She's lucky to have such a quick crabby mommy! :D

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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:51 am

YYWW wrote:Hooray for Hera! I am so happy for you! She looks awesome, all chubby legged in her PP goodness. You were her divine intervention! What a feat for both of you. YAY!!! Image


Crabbers unite!!!
I kept thinking at the time that I must be dreaming because it was just so unreal. I am so happy!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
#2 rule of crabbing - see above

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KellyCrabbieLove
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Re: Hera - not a shell fight - so much in shock right now

Post by KellyCrabbieLove » Tue Feb 10, 2015 10:07 am

CallaLily wrote: Ah, sorry for misunderstanding. :oops: So she pulled through almost perfectly. Amazing! She's lucky to have such a quick crabby mommy! :D
I'm lucky to have such a fighter for a crab and a husband that kept a cool head helping get her into iso. He can pretend all he wants that he doesn't care for them but his behavior every time one is sick or hurt proves otherwise. His voice gets this urgent and worried tone. Caught him!
#1 rule of crabbing - crabs are weird.
#2 rule of crabbing - see above

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