Identifying and Caring for a Deceased Hermit Crab

As a dedicated hermit crab owner, it's important to know how to care for and identify whether your pet has passed away. This guide provides clear steps and tips on how to determine if your hermit crab is dead, how to care for a molting crab, and how to properly dispose of a deceased crab.

How to Determine if Your Hermit Crab is Dead

Check for Signs of Lethargy and Decomposition

1. Sniff for a Fishy Rotten Smell

One of the most surefire ways to identify a deceased hermit crab is by the smell. If the crab begins to decompose, its carcass will emit a strong, salty, and rotten odor. If the smell is not noticeable, carefully remove the crab from the tank to get a closer whiff. A salty rotten scent usually indicates that the crab has passed away.

2. Assume the Crab is Molting

Hermit crabs periodically shed their exoskeletons, a process known as molting. During this time, they become immobile for a short while as they regain muscle control and harden their new exoskeleton. It's important to be patient and avoid disturbing the crab during this delicate process. If the crab is out of its shell and not moving, assume it is molting before considering it dead.

Examining the Crab's Position and Behavior

3. Notice When a Crab is Laying Outside its Shell

If you find a crab outside its shell without any signs of transitioning, it could be a sign of death or a by-product of the molting process. Check if the shell is hollow and crumbles easily; if it is, it likely is an old exoskeleton. Look inside the nearby shell or try picking up the immobile crab to see if it moves. If it does not react, it is probably dead.

4. Move the Crab and Observe Results

If you're uncertain about the crab's condition, move it to a new location and note its position. Place food on the other side of the tank to motivate it to move. Return to check within a few hours. If the crab moved, it's likely alive. If not, it may be sleeping or molting.

Check for Burying Behavior

5. Keep an Eye on a Buried Crab

It is natural for hermit crabs to bury themselves, which can indicate molting or a feeling of being threatened. Smooth the sand around the crab's hiding spot and look for tracks. If it has been weeks since your crab buried itself, carefully sweep off a bit of sand to check for a rotting smell. This can help you determine if the crab is alive or dead.

Caring for a Molting Crab

Molting is a delicate process that requires specific care. Here are steps to ensure your crab's safety during this period.

Determining Molting Signs

1. Determine Whether Your Crab is Molting

Your crab may be molting if it is out of its shell and not moving. Other signs include lethargy, less antennae activity, tangled and confused-looking antennae, an ashy exoskeleton, and dull eyes. Smaller, quickly-growing crabs can molt every few months, while larger crabs tend to molt once a year. Note the dates and duration of molting to prepare for future molts.

Providing Proper Care

2. Wait Several Days

Molting usually lasts about two weeks. If there is no fishy smell, it's likely your crab is molting. During this time, ensure the crab has a moist environment to aid the shedding process.

3. Ensure Food Accessibility

Consider whether your crab has been eating a lot over the past few days. Before a molt, a crab will store extra fat and water to support the molting process. Place food on the other side of the tank to motivate the crab to move during this period of inactivity.

Isolate the Molting Crab

4. Isolate a Molting Crab from Other Crabs

Molting crabs are vulnerable to stress and injury from other hermit crabs due to their inactivity and soft new exoskeleton. If one of your crabs is molting, isolate it in a separate container or put it in a temporary tank away from other crabs. This precaution helps ensure the safety and health of your molting hermit crab.

Disposing of a Dead Crab

Dig Up and Dispose of a Buried Crab

1. Dig Up a Buried Crab

If you bury your crab, ensure it's buried deep enough to prevent other animals from digging it up. To dispose of a dead crab, carefully dig it up along with the sand it was buried in. Dispose of the crab and the sand in one swoop for hygiene purposes.

2. Disposal Methods

2.1. Throw Your Dead Crab Out with the Garbage Place the carcass into a Ziploc bag, lay it carefully into the trash, and let it be. This method is quick and easy but may not be the most sanitary option.

2.2. Bury Your Dead Crab Consider burying the crab deep enough to safeguard it from other animals. This is a personal choice, but it's a kinder way to say goodbye to your pet. The sand from the crab's tank may also be contaminated and should be buried.

2.3. Do Not Flush the Dead Crab Down the Toilet Flushing a dead crab may contaminate the water supply. Instead, opt for burial or trash disposal methods.

Prepare the Tank for a New Pet

After disposing of the dead crab, it's important to clean and prepare the tank for a new pet. Clear away any sand, clean the sides of the tank, and replace any water to ensure a healthy environment for a new hermit crab.