Land Hermit Crab Compatibility (They Aren't!)
HI I am at a total lost about this,
I have 3 land hermit crabs that have been together for little over a year, two of them are small in size, and one is mid size. I have just cleans and restocked them with various sized shells for there  enjoyment. Which they have been investigating. One of the smaller ones has taken up resting inside a large shell while he is still in his own shell. like a 
double coat of armor.
Now for my problem, for the past 2 days the mid size crab has moved on top of one of the smaller one. It holds onto the others shell, completely engulfing it with its body. I have tried separating them and have had the larger one try to pinch me with his claws, and he holds it so tight that they will not separate easily.
At times during the day he will raise up and extend his legs in a canopy style hold on the others shell and raise his claws above his head. The little one will come out of the shell only enough to move around within this hold, always staying on the back of the shell. 
I have found small shavings of carrots laying on the rim of the smaller ones shell. They are in bite size for this smaller crab, and have seen its claw capture these bites to take into the shell. I have also hear them communicating when ever I come near to them. I have tried to separate them only to have them run,, to each other from the opposite side of the tank, which is really very funny looking for them to do.
Is every thing alright and if not what should I do ? If they are mating what do I need to do to keep any of the offspring healthy. These crabs are the focal point in our office, and some of the clients will come in just to watch and laugh at there antis. All during this time they have never acted in this manner before.
Thank you, Natalie Carmichael
< If you have had them for a year then they may be getting ready to shed their exoskeleton. When they do this they turn a lighter color just before they shed. After they shed they are very soft and pliable and this makes them vulnerable to be eaten by larger crabs. This may be a mating behaviour too but I haven't read anything on hermit crab breeding though. Another possibility is the larger crab may be after eating the little crab when it switches shells revealing its softer body parts. I would separate them for awhile until they have all switched shells.-Chuck> 

Frogs with Crabs? 8/6/05
I have hermit crabs.  I'm wondering if I can put frogs in the same terrarium?
Sharon
< The first chance they get, the crabs will attack and probably kill the frogs.-Chuck>

Hermit Crab Needs a Home  9/7/05
Hi, My kids have four hermit crabs in a 10 gallon tank.  About 5 days ago, we noticed that one had abandoned it's shell (it also lost it's large claw).  We "offered" it about 5 or six different shells of varying sizes.  However, it's still without a shell.  It's recently lost the other smaller claw but is still moving.  It's actually amazing how much it gets around.  The other crabs don't seem to be bothering it.  Any suggestions or ideas about what's going on?  
Thanks for any help. Teresa Collier
< I suspect that sometime during the night his shell was taken away by another crab. He lost his claw defending himself. I think that he lost his other claw trying to get a new shell. He obviously doesn't like any that you have offered. I would separate him and try offering the new shells again. These little guys can dehydrate very quickly without their shells. If he is not separated I would not be surprised if the others go after him when they get hungry.-Chuck>

Hermit Crabs, terr.   8/16/06
I recently bought a pair of land hermit crabs at a local pet store. I've had them almost three days now, but they refuse to come out of their plastic cave, even at night. In the morning I check to see if they've been out of the cave by trying to find any tracks, but there aren't any. I've tried misting the tank more often, I've given them each a bath, and I've given them different food each night, but when I check on them in the morning, they're still in the same spot they were when I went to bed the night before. I've taken them out myself to check if they're still alive (they are) but when I put them near their food and water dishes, the scuttle back into the cave. I'm worried they're not eating. I hope you can help! Thanks -Alex
P.S.-one is missing his smaller claw, and another is missing her back walking leg on the left side
<Insufficient information... Have you checked with your supplier re their previous care, feeding? Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/hermitcrabfaqs.htm
and the Net in general re these animals care. This may simply be a too-cool temperature situation. Bob Fenner>

Re: Hermit Crabs, terr. <maybe not>  8/17/06
Hello again. I was unable to find any cases related to mine.:(
I keep the temperature in my tank between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and I mist the tank quite often. My hygrometer isn't working properly (I'm working
on fixing it) so I can't tell you the exact humidity, but there is always condensation on the walls of the tank, and the sand is quite damp.
<Mmm... do you know the species of Hermits you have? Am wondering how "terrestrial" these are.>
I've noticed that my crabs do burrow slightly into the substrate, but only enough to cover less than halfway up the shell. I'm wondering if they might be
trying to molt,
<More likely trying to "get underwater">
because the sand depth at the pet store was only around a centimeter or two, but they haven't gone near the water dish or food dish.
Might I be handling them too much?
<Definitely... should be handled the least possible>
I take them each out for a few minutes every day (mainly to check if they're alive) and they walk along my hands like a normal crab might, but they always retreat to the safety of the plastic cave once I return them to their tank. Admittedly I haven't provided any saltwater. Could that have something to do with it?
<Yes... I do believe so>
I'm EXTREMELY new to this and your assistance would be greatly appreciated. -Alex
P.S: I have them in a ten gallon tank with a closed lid (small ventilation holes; not enough to let heat or humidity escape) and a fluorescent light for heating.
<Do cruise the Net, WWM: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/crabs/hermitcrabs.htm
for ID here... need to know the species first, so you can further seek the habitat, diet of this/these species. Bob Fenner>