Molting

Molting is a fragile and vulnerable process a hermit crab will go through to grow. Just as a snake sheds it's skin, a hermit crab sheds it's exoskeleton. Hermit crabs will dig under ground to molt, they do not leave their shells during this process. It is important to have proper sand castle consistency substrate for molting. 

Molting can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to many months. On average a larger hermit crab will molt less frequently and for longer, while smaller hermit crabs will molt more frequently for a shorter time. 

Hermit crabs will eat the exoskeleton they shedded while underground still. It is a great source of calcium for them that will help harden their new exoskeleton. Hermit crabs will not come up to eat or drink while molting. They have a "molt sac" which stores water for them which they will utilize while underground molting. You might notice that your hermit crabs have a big appetite before they go under to molt as they are prepping for "molt camp"! :)

NEVER go looking or digging around for your hermit crabs. They are nocturnal anyways, so they will most likely be out at night opposed to daytime. Do not be worried if you can't seem to find them, when in doubt- assume they are underground molting! Disturbing a molting hermit crab could gravely injure them or even kill them. Be careful not to disturb the substrate, as it could cause their tunnels to collapse and suffocate them

Hermit crabs can resort to cannibalism if their dietary needs are not being met. There are cases a hermit crab will dig up and eat a molting hermit crab out of survival. Make sure plenty of animal protein is offered in your hermit crabs diet so there is never a need for your hermit crabs to have to resort to that for survival / compete for resources.

Molting Video