hermit crab mid molt

[mossmoss]

Ok so i found a hermit crab out of his shell with his original shell nowhere in sight. He is perched precariously on a rock with no empty shells around... Im pretty certain its the hermit and not just the molt.

How much do they move mid-molt? Would it be harmful to move him to the sand bed? I feel like he needs to be surrounded by shells ? Is that silly? Will he just cruise around with his naked body and find a shell he likes?

Wish i could share pictures but its too small ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ROB2005]

Does he appear to be moving? They usually will wander around naked for a bit until they find a suitable shell they like from my experience.

 

[mossmoss]

Does he appear to be moving? They usually will wander around naked for a bit until they find a suitable shell they like from my experience.

i thought he maybe moved a quarter inch or so but hard to be sure.. he's in kind of a tough spot to see.. its only been about an hour but I'll keep monitoring