How do I know if my Hermit crab is molting?

Question

I went home today and my hermit crabbe was missing! I can't find him and I know that lately he has been in a corner keeping to himself and not really eating or anything. I dipped him in water yesterday to make sure he was still moist and today he is gone! there is a little dip in the sand where he normally rests in underneath a fake tree stump but I can't find him and I don't want to go digging through the sand in case he is molting. How can I know for sure if he dug himself into the sand?

Answer 1

Okay...i to have Hermit Crabs and at first the big one i had was SCARY AS h**l!

but then when i was in the car ride home.i was joking with my mom like.."omg mom it came out of its shell" and she was like wow.

it doesnt come out that quick. and i said true lol

but then i had a wired feeling in my sleep so i woke up at 5:45 in the morning and my crab changed to a bigger shell that i kept in the cage:]

But...the whole entire point to this story is...ALWAYS keep an extra shell in the cage that is 1 size bigger than the crab you have.Oh and also have an extra shell in the cage at all times for each crab you have:]you never know when they or it is gunna change shells:]

i hope i helpped.

                                                   -Ashlyn<3

Answer 2

he is probably molting...2 of mine just disappeared today and i moved a little sand and i found them. i put the sand back over them and its okay. if you want to make sure he is dug, just move a little sand and if you feel his shell, he is under the sand, and most likely molting. good luck.