Posted by Sheena on November 04, 2002 at 01:33:06:
Before I state my concern, I will give you a brief history so you get the "full picture." I just got two large hermit crabs a couple of weeks ago. I have kept many other arachnids, insects, and milipedes but these are my first crabs. I have them in a terrarium with some desert sand mixed with moist spagnum moss on top of a reptile bedding mix. They have several hiding places, extra shells, water dish with dechlorinated water and hermit crab sponge, and a dish of "hermit crab meal." I have a black heat lamp above the cage to maintain a temperature of about 80F. I have a corner of my room where they are away windows, doors, the heater, sun, etc.
They haven't seemed to move at all since I got them. Is this normal? I haven't worried about it because I know that this inactive behavior is typical of many arthropods, and I also know that the crabs are nocturnal which means they might be coming out when I am asleep.
However, I went to check on them yesterday, and I was horrified when I picked up the crab who has been in a corner; there were three legs and a claw underneath it! The crab is still alive because it moved inside the shell, and I know the appendages are not part of a mold because they are not hollow, and when I look at the crab I can tell that he is indeed missing these body parts.
Now my question is, how did this happen, and what should I do??? Is it possible that the two crabs fought in the container when I was bringing them home from the petstore? Am I doing anything wrong? What did I do wrong? Is the crab going to die? How do I care for it? Is it normal that they are sitting in the same place and not doing anything? Please help!! I know all about spiders and scorpions, but I'm just getting started with crabs and I will greatly appreaciate any advice!
Emily
