Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

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.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
Elainedean124
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2018 4:54 pm

Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

Post by Elainedean124 » Fri May 04, 2018 6:16 pm

I’m not really sure if this would fit in crab behavior, molting, or crabitat, but I have a total of 6 hermit crabs in a 60 gallon tank that has sand with varied height (the peak is about a foot, and the valley is about 6-8 inches), however, 2 and sometimes 3 of them end up digging so deep that i can’t even find their tracks where they might’ve dug. They dig habitually but I haven’t seen them surface in a few days. If it is molting, i’m making sure not to disturb them but I just dont want them to get trapped under that deep of sand if they can’t tell which way is up or down or something else.

Any advice or opinions are much appreciated. I just don’t like the idea of a “lost” crab.
I’ve had purple pincher hermit crabs (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hermes, Apollo, and Hephaestus) since May 31st, 2017. Kinda new at hermit crab care, but I’m learning new things everyday!

User avatar

piratetoothgir
Posts: 1341
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2017 7:08 am
Location: Texas

Re: Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

Post by piratetoothgir » Fri May 04, 2018 6:19 pm

Hello :) Welcome to the HCA Elainedean124!

They know the difference between down and up, but they might not know where they are going exactly when digging.
When the crab decided to come back up, it'll just dig straight up, or diagonally. They might bump into something sitting on the sub, like wood or a rock, but it won't hurt them :)

Mine always came around the objects they bumped into, but they made their way up :)
Just resist the urge to dig for them, and you're good!
Crabber Since 2016
7 Caribbeans & 2 Ecuadorians
I am the proud owner of my hermit crabs, aquarium fish, and isopod totes!

User avatar

GotButterflies
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 7258
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:56 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

Post by GotButterflies » Sun May 06, 2018 10:59 am

Hello! Welcome to the HCA! :butterfly::

They dig down for several reasons. They will come up when they are ready :) Whatever you do, don't dig :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com

User avatar

aussieJJDude
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 5010
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Re: Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

Post by aussieJJDude » Mon May 07, 2018 3:26 am

Ill just parrot above, they both offer good advise of why crabs dig!

Also, welcome to the board!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
|| Avid Aquarist Addict (2007) || Crazy Crabbing Connoisseur (2012) || Amateur Aroid Admirer (2014) ||

I strive to make HCA a welcoming space for all
Infrequently on due to studies, on a little more on in FB group

User avatar

curlysister
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 4561
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:54 pm
Location: Manitoba, Canada

Re: Can my hermit crabs get lost in the sand?

Post by curlysister » Tue May 15, 2018 10:28 pm

Agree with the above, they won't get lost and will find their way up when they are ready. Do not dig them up, except under very dire circumstances (the only time in 7+ years that I have dug up a crab is when there was a flood).

Also, it is important that the substrate is kept 'sandcastle' consistency so that tunnels and caves don't collapse.
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

Post Reply