Arthropods (e.g., insects and crustaceans) must molt their exoskeletons periodically in order to grow; in this process the inner layers of the old cuticle are digested by a molting fluid secreted by the epidermal cells, the animal emerges from the old covering, and the new cuticle hardens.

This is a collection of posts from CLD from 1999. While not all of the information in these posts is still considered accurate it is worth reading as Don was a important part of hermit crab care development.

by Marie (aka ladybug15057)



It is often extremely difficult to distinguish whether a hermit crab is indeed molting, or has passed over the Rainbow Bridge. This is due to how similar in appearance the two can be. The approach a hermit crab owner takes can mean the difference between life or death if the crab is molting. I have witnessed numerous land hermit crabs during the molting process and identified four main molting positions.

by Jad Johnson 2003

Perhaps the most traumatic event in the life of your crab, not to mention the trauma for the owner, is a molt. Often for me it begins by checking on my guys in the morning (I find that they like to do it during the night). A momentary flood of panic washes over me when I see crab bits strewn around the Crabarium. "Oh, no. Has he been mutilated, or is he ill?" Then as I realize I have a molter on my hands, I REALLY begin to panic!

by Lisa Loseke 2003