Hermit crabs are cute little pets that can live with you for up to 20 years if you take good care of them. They may not learn to talk or play fetch, but they are fascinating little creatures in their own right. They are very active, exploring every corner of their habitat, burrowing in the sand and constantly crawling on top of rocks. Despite their name, they are actually quite social beings and will stack even if they live together in larger groups, i.e. they are the happiest. Hermit crabs are recognizable by their shells, and it is quite interesting that shells are almost the currency in their world. Some crabs trade shells with each other, while others fight aggressively to get the shell they want. Their shells are their home and protection. When crabs feel in danger, they immediately retreat into their shells, because they don't really have any other means of protecting themselves. They have claws (the right one is for defense and the left one is for collecting food and water), but without the shell it is not enough. Hermit crabs are omnivorous, so you can experiment with different types of food to find the one your crabs will enjoy the most. They are sensitive little animals, but they can be very rewarding pets, as they are sociable, active and very curious. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayDespite their small size and the fact that they probably seem pretty easy to care for, they require a lot of maintenance, and something can easily go wrong'. For example, they might suddenly start to leave their shell and refuse to go back into it. The problem is that when hermit crabs leave their shells, they are exposed to the outside (especially their soft abdomen) and they begin to be at risk of drying out or being injured by other crabs. So, what to do in this case to prevent the crab from being harmed and how to put it back in its shell? First, let's talk about the potential causes why a hermit crab leaves its shell. Because it borrows snail shells to live in, it may simply be that it has outgrown its current shell and needs a new one. And/or he could be pre-molting because he's about to shed his exoskeleton. If so, you may be able to recognize it by several telltale signs (although not all crabs will exhibit all or any symptoms). He had been binging for about two weeks and then suddenly stopped eating altogether. He seems lethargic. Its body and legs became lighter, turning beige. He drags his shell or a large claw as if it were too heavy for him. It appears restless during the day, trying to get out of its habitat. It spends a lot of time in or around ponds of water, whether freshwater or oceanic. He almost hides from the other crabs (you could say he begins to behave like... a hermit). He becomes uncomfortable with the shell he wears, often changing shells but being dissatisfied with each one. of them. His eyes appear to look outward. If you notice these signs and your crab's habitat is otherwise spotless, you do not need to do this. worry and can just let the crab do its job. However, after molting, the crab will want to move into a larger shell, so make sure it has several choices of shells available to it. If when a crableaves its shell, and it's not because of molting or a size problem, it means it's under some sort of stress or there's a problem with its shell. Several common problems can cause this. The shell your crab is currently using may be irritating it for some reason. There may be sand, mites, fungus (a bacterial or fungal infection could cause your crab to have a skin disease), or other foreign objects lodged inside, and hermit crabs are also known to to hide.their food inside their shell. This problem is sometimes solved by the crab itself by molting. Alternatively, you can boil the shell in dechlorinated water and shake it vigorously until whatever is in it is dislodged. This should work most of the time. There is another crab in its shell. Hermit crabs sometimes leave their shells to try other shells, for pleasure. However, if you have several crabs in an enclosure, while one of them is out of its shell, another could slip in and take its place. Hermit crabs sometimes even fight over the shells they deem desirable. These fights can even lead to death, because a crab often prefers to die rather than abandon its shell. To avoid this, there should always be a wide selection of shells of different sizes and "styles" in the habitat, so that each crab can find something suitable for them. A hermit crab may also leave its habitat if the temperature or humidity in its habitat is too high or too low. The ideal humidity for these crabs is 70 to 80 percent, and the heat should be of varying sizes in different ends of the habitat, ranging from 72-75F to 80-82F. Your crab might also be under physical stress. Before they reach pet stores, the conditions in which they are harvested and transported are quite inhumane and cause them to suffer. Additionally, when they arrive at stores hungry, dehydrated and stressed, employees often don't know how to care for them. So when you buy the crabs, they may already be unhealthy, so to speak. So your crab is out of its shell and it won't go back in. What can you do to help him get back there? The first method described is used for situations in which a crab has left its shell for reasons other than molting. . In the case of molting, the procedure is different (and it will also be described). Before and after handling the crab and its shell, wash your hands thoroughly. The best way to start is to rinse or boil the discarded shell and shake it thoroughly, as previously mentioned, so that anything that might not belong there is removed. Drain most of the water from the shell and place it in a cup or bowl, depending on the size of the crab. You can also spray the shell with dechlorinated salt water. The container you put the shell in should be just big enough for the crab and the shell, not bigger and, of course, not too small either. Add dechlorinated salt water to the bowl to prevent the crab from drying out and dehydrating. Carefully remove the crab from its enclosure by lightly holding it just behind the last pair of walking legs, or use a spoon to gently scoop it up. Place it for three seconds in a warm salt water bath. Examine his abdomen carefully for any signs of irritation or injury and be very careful that he does not try to escape, as he could injure himself badly this way. Also check for shedding symptoms, such as lifting of the old exoskeleton,.