Suffocation & Dehydration
Molting & Cannibalism
Mishandling
Malnutrition
Inactivity
Parasites, Bacteria, & Fungi
Molting & Cannibalism
Mishandling
Malnutrition
Inactivity
Parasites, Bacteria, & Fungi
There are 10 typical causes of death for hermit crabs. The chart above broadly classifies this information with estimated statistics. Some causes of death have been grouped together because of their likeness. Scroll down for detailed information.
1. SUFFOCATION - Hermit crabs will die from being unable to breathe if their gills are not kept moist in a 50-70% humidity. If a hermit crab has come completely out of his shell, bathe him and then encourage him to re-enter a shell by carefully lowing his abdomen into an empty shell. Otherwise, your hermit crab WILL die of suffocation.
2. DEHYDRATION - Evaporated water dishes that go unnoticed by owners are a leading cause of dehydration. No animal can live without water for very long. Do not block the crab's entrance to the water dish with a sponge.
3. MALNUTRITION - If hermit crabs do not have access to specially-formulated commercial hermit crab food, they may die from starvation or lack of proper nutrients. Additionally, if a hermit crab does not consume his shed exoskeleton after a molt, he increases his chances of death.
4. INACTIVITY - If hermit crabs are not taken out of their cages and handled or given the chance to roam freely, they will become lazy and unhealthy. It is very important to give your hermit crab regular exercise.
5. INABILITY TO SHED EXOSKELETON - If your hermit crab's body lacks calcium, water pressure, or UV light exposure they may be unable to properly shed their exoskeleton or harden a new one. If your hermit crab is experiencing this problem, surgery may be a viable option. Please visit the "Surgery" link for more information.
6. MISHANDLING - Being dropped from only a few feet can cause a crab's internal organs to repture.
7. PARASITES - Extended infection with mites can cause bodily stress, paralysis of the gills, and ultimately death. In the wild (and in unkempt captive conditions) flies and gnats can lay eggs inside the hermit crab's shell and cause his death.
8. BACTERIA - Blooming quickly on uneaten food, shed exoskeleton that is aged, compiled extrement, or a soiled sponge in your crabs' humid environment, invisible bacteria overgrowth can kill an entire population of crabs quickly.
9. FUNGI - Sometimes growing directly inside the shell of a hermit crab, fungal growths can also be found on uneaten food within the tank.
10. CANNIBALISM - Unfortunately, hermit crabs are known to consume their vulnerable peers, especially during the soft phase immediately following a molt. Please make sure your molting hermit crabs are kept safely away from their peers during this time.
1. SUFFOCATION - Hermit crabs will die from being unable to breathe if their gills are not kept moist in a 50-70% humidity. If a hermit crab has come completely out of his shell, bathe him and then encourage him to re-enter a shell by carefully lowing his abdomen into an empty shell. Otherwise, your hermit crab WILL die of suffocation.
2. DEHYDRATION - Evaporated water dishes that go unnoticed by owners are a leading cause of dehydration. No animal can live without water for very long. Do not block the crab's entrance to the water dish with a sponge.
3. MALNUTRITION - If hermit crabs do not have access to specially-formulated commercial hermit crab food, they may die from starvation or lack of proper nutrients. Additionally, if a hermit crab does not consume his shed exoskeleton after a molt, he increases his chances of death.
4. INACTIVITY - If hermit crabs are not taken out of their cages and handled or given the chance to roam freely, they will become lazy and unhealthy. It is very important to give your hermit crab regular exercise.
5. INABILITY TO SHED EXOSKELETON - If your hermit crab's body lacks calcium, water pressure, or UV light exposure they may be unable to properly shed their exoskeleton or harden a new one. If your hermit crab is experiencing this problem, surgery may be a viable option. Please visit the "Surgery" link for more information.
6. MISHANDLING - Being dropped from only a few feet can cause a crab's internal organs to repture.
7. PARASITES - Extended infection with mites can cause bodily stress, paralysis of the gills, and ultimately death. In the wild (and in unkempt captive conditions) flies and gnats can lay eggs inside the hermit crab's shell and cause his death.
8. BACTERIA - Blooming quickly on uneaten food, shed exoskeleton that is aged, compiled extrement, or a soiled sponge in your crabs' humid environment, invisible bacteria overgrowth can kill an entire population of crabs quickly.
9. FUNGI - Sometimes growing directly inside the shell of a hermit crab, fungal growths can also be found on uneaten food within the tank.
10. CANNIBALISM - Unfortunately, hermit crabs are known to consume their vulnerable peers, especially during the soft phase immediately following a molt. Please make sure your molting hermit crabs are kept safely away from their peers during this time.
