Claw Deformation

bratmonkey · Post by **bratmonkey** » 06 May 2005, 15:08

I was just curious if anyone could answer some questions I had. I saw a crab in the store today who's big claw was sealed together to where he/she couldn't open it. Does anyone know if he/she would survive long and if when moulting if the problem would go away? I know the big claw is generally used for defense and climbing but wasn't sure how it might affect the crabs life.

Post by **Wai** » 06 May 2005, 17:53

Deformation can be due to lack of nutrition (I'm not surprised why this happens since most pet shops don't care what they feed hermit crabs). To be even worse is if the crab loses the whole claw itself. They are able to regenerate the deformed claw, but you need to take very good care of it and feed it plenty of nutritious foods.

aries · Post by **aries** » 07 May 2005, 00:16

I myself have not seen a crab with a deformed claw but I would have taken it home and tried to care for it and keep it warm, quiet and well watered and fed and hope it pulls through.

bratmonkey · Post by **bratmonkey** » 08 May 2005, 05:21

thanks! I was going to bring it home but I just didn't know if I could handle if it did die, but I may go back and see if it is still there. I do already have one who I am caring for. He was in pretty bad shape when I got him but he's doing well. I'm waiting for him to molt so he can regenerate 2 of his legs and hopefully fix the other(it's a little crooked or something).

bratmonkey · Post by **bratmonkey** » 08 May 2005, 08:41

update: I decided to go ahead and get him. I'll post back to let you know how his recovery goes.

Post by **Wai** » 08 May 2005, 16:24

Good luck!

aries · Post by **aries** » 09 May 2005, 04:28

I think that even if the don't make it after you bring them home you at least gave them a more comfortable place to be for a time. Good luck! I am glad you took him home.

Post by **Wai** » 09 May 2005, 15:44

I agree. Even though the hermie did not survive, at least it knew that it was loved before it passed away in less pain.

bratmonkey · Post by **bratmonkey** » 11 May 2005, 02:57

that's true I just hate the fact that I can't do more.

Crabby Kortney · Post by **Crabby Kortney** » 14 Jul 2005, 05:55

Even if the crab dies you gave it a great life and loved it so that a death in the pet store wouldn't happen. They would have thrown it away and not even cared about it. You'll cared and try to nurse it back to health. It was the pet stores fault that it got that way in the first place. They should really put more care into their animals. They may not think so but the smallest animal and the smallest act of kindness can change the world.

Cartman