HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! So I'm wondering what's up with Elaine... for the past week or so she's been hiding out in a small little alcove create by a log and hasn't been hanging out with Toph as much as she used to do. And I haven't seen her eat at all only walking around every once in a while so, is this just shyness or something worse?? Thanks

How long have you had her?

She could be de-stressing. It took my PP's a good week or so before they started acting funny. They did their de-stressing thing, and are fine now. One is down for a molt.

I've had her almost three months, but she really did start acting like this when Toph switched shells so maybe she just needs a new shell.... would that help?

They are pretty picky with shells. I would just leave her be (in case it is stress) and make sure theres lots of shells to pick from and the right food, temp, and humidity. You could give her some peanut butter on a q-tip and some honey on one as well. That gives them energy and proteins.

Has she been eating and checking out the water?

I've only seen her checking out the water 3, 4, maybe 5 times. I have never seen her eating. She might have been while I'm asleep but I don't know. Also every once in a while she'll go into the opening and try and get in put it's like Toph and her are like feeler communicating and Elaine will eventually go back to her spot...
Edit:*Going into the log opening*

Well I just gave her some more shells to check out see if she likes any of em... well see what happens...

Good luck! At least we know she's drinking and putting water inside her shell. Hopefully she's eating at night. The q-tips of honey and peanut butter will hopefully give her some energy.

Thanks Bridgit for all the help!

Well I found her this morning with Toph in the log so that's good. It seems none of my shells were good enough for them but oh well

Hopefully she will start checking out the shells one day. They do everything in their own time lol. Glad she's in the log with her friend today!

Thanks! so far no change but then again I don't know if they are the right size....

Just your eyeballing them I am sure you got pretty close size wise on them. You can grab a ruler and measure her shell opening from side to side once she is moving around more, I would wait till then to be sure she's not wanting to molt or de-stressing.

I did once measure her but I'm not sure if I did it right though.... I think t was 3/4"

You will measure side to side, basically from where leg to leg would be, if that helps. So it probably is 3/4"