Telling two hermit crabs apart

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Willwhf

Telling two hermit crabs apart

Post by Willwhf »

Hey! I just bought a second PP (lets call him crab B) and now im worried i wont be able to tell them apart because Crab B has taken a liking to a shell the same as Crab A I want to be able to tell the two apart so was wondering if anyone has any ideas to Know who is who
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aussieJJDude
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Re: Telling two hermit crabs apart

Post by aussieJJDude »

Observe their behaviours or take some high quality photos and 'map' out their BP, which I heard from a few crabbers - someone may either confirm or deny - that the spots and markings rarely change.
246L/65G - 'Tidal Jungle' (Crabs) | 246L/65g - 'Backwater Pool' (Fish/Snails) | 96L/25G - ''Twisted Minds" (Fish/Snails/Shrimp) | 300L/90G Fancy Pond (Goldfish)

I've never had any problems with 'Impulse Buying'. They're just animals that I forgot I had planned to get.
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ladybug15057
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Re: Telling two hermit crabs apart

Post by ladybug15057 »

Through molts some markings do change. But if one looks closely at their hermie they will have certain characteristics that will be different. Ex: "tip of large pincher lighter, last segment right leg lighter, left leg darker," etc. After a little time you will naturally know who is who. They do seem to have their own personalities.
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dk58
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Re: Telling two hermit crabs apart

Post by dk58 »

I believe I have 2 PPs (the large claw is purple) but the have different colored legs. 1 has tan legs and the other has a red tint to their tan legs. Is the abnormal? Are all PPs supposed to be 1 color?
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ladybug15057
Coenobita
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Re: Telling two hermit crabs apart

Post by ladybug15057 »

Not always. Many times when a hermie is getting ready to molt their coloring will become lighter due to the old exo pulling away from the new. If he has just molted, it will take a little while for the exo to harden and darken. It could also be that he is lacking color enhancing foods in his diet.
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