Do hermit crabs molt?

[lmw80]

Not sure if they molt or not.

Thanks.

 

[steve-s]

Yup.

Cheers
Steve

 

[austinsdad]

People have mistakenly thought they had dead crabs when seeing the molts. If molting regularly, they'll attack larger snails to get new homes sooner or later. Get some empty shells to help.

 

[Gatorfreak]

Are hermit crab molts clear? I've seen shrimp molts and there's no mistaking it. It's just a clear shell. I've seen what is either dead hermits out of their shell or molts. They had some color to them though.

 

[austinsdad]

Hermit's molt almost looks like a dead crab out of its shell. They will have color.

 

[Devilishturtles]

I have mistaken hermit molts for dead crabs numerous times. They look identical to a living crab.

 

[twilyte]

A molt tends to be mostly the front part of the body; a DEAD hermit, if fresh, will have a curled abdomen and it will NOT be see-through. It will have organs and such in it, usually a brownish color.

 

[austinsdad]

will have a curled abdomen and it will NOT be see-through.

Good point. The curled abdomen is the indicator of a dead crab IMO.