Sometimes healthy and active hermit crabs loose an eye, a portion of a leg, or a whole leg or claw entirely. This is likely the result of the crab's being mistreated by a larger hermit crab or by rough human handling. Sometimes it can even happen due to difficulties while molting. If the crab is reasonably active, the loss will not affect him much, and he will regenerate the appendage eventually.

However, when coupled with lethargy, appendage loss is to be of greater concern. Stressed, sick, or mishandled crabs will often discard limbs, an action which, combined with lethargy, often preceeds death. Try to prevent the crab's death by isolating it and spraying it daily with water. Should the crab recover, a limb can be regenerated through the process of several molts.

During the molt process, lost limbs or eye stalks will be unfolded and regenerated. Complete regeneration of a lost appendage will usually take several molts, however. You may notice this the regeneration process beginning before your crab even demonstrates signs of an upcoming molt, as clear, gel-like globulars can often be found developing at the base of a lost appendage. It is more difficult for a crab to molt successfully when he has several lost appendages to regenerate, but it can be done.

My baby Ecuadorian, Lulu,
regenerated a full leg in just
one molt. Can you tell which
one she grew back? She's
glad that you can't.