How to Tell If a Hermit Crab Is Dead

Hermit crabs are one of the most inexpensive exotic pets one can own. Like every pet that is taken out of its habitat, the hermit crab has a chance of dying while in captivity. It is often difficult to tell whether your hermit crab is dead, or just molting. Closely observing your hermit crab to find out whether it is dead or just molting can be a life-or-death situation for your crab. Read on to learn how to tell if a hermit crab is dead.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your hermit crab
• 2 liter bottle (if more than one crab in tank)

1. Look for obvious signs. Closely observe your hermit crab for a little while. Its legs or body may twitch, which is a surefire sign that your crab is alive. It will not always be this easy.

2. Do not disturb the crab. If your hermit crab is alive and just in a molting state, any disturbance from you can be disastrous for your hermit crab.

3. Cut the top off of a 2-liter bottle and place the top over your hermit crab if it is in a habitat with other crabs. This will protect it if it's just molting. This is especially important if your hermit crab is on the surface. If your hermit crab is in an isolation tank, then you can just leave it alone.

4. Find where your hermit crab has buried itself if it isn't on the surface. Smooth out the sand around this area. Wait overnight and then check back in the habitat. If the sand has been moved around or there are tracks in it, then your hermit crab is fine.

5. Wait a few days and check for a rotting (fishy) smell. Do this whether or not your hermit crab is above or below surface level. This is your best bet to tell if your hermit crab is dead without harming it if it is only molting. If your crab is underground and you haven't seen it for a while, carefully sweep away some of the dirt around its hiding spot and check for the rotting smell.

6. Take a close look at any body you find laying outside of a shell. If you find that your hermit crab is laying limp outside of its shell, look closer. This may just be a molted exoskeleton, and your hermit crab may have just inhabited a new shell.

Tips & Warnings

• Use these steps and remain very observant before you send your hermit crab the way of the toilet.
• Remember to never disturb your hermit crab until you are 100 percent sure that it is dead. Disturbing a hermit crab during its critical molting process is dangerous.