Mama Diaries

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Another Shedder in the House

No, we didn't get another dog at my pad.  (I know that's what you're thinking, because my German Shepherd is a real shedder!)  We have a new shedder, and it isn't who you might think it is.

This morning, I went over to the hermit crabs' tank.  It was the usual ritual - clean, feed, and wet their sponges.  But as I looked in the tank, I noticed something a little peculiar.  It looked like a dead hermit crab out of its shell.  Uh oh,  I thought.  A hermit crab bit the dust.

I picked that thing out of there and tossed it into the garbage.  "Hey, Bubba," I said.  "One of your sister's crabs died."

He came running over.  "Which one?"

"I don't know.  Let's see."  I turned over the shell of the first crab.  I could see the little claws in there, so it wasn't him.  I turned over another one.  Claws in that one too.  I continued with the other hermit crabs.  They were all in there.  "That's weird," I said.  "Apparently, nobody died.  Do hermit crabs shed?"

My boy and I did some research.  Guess what we found out?  Hermit crabs do indeed shed.  Apparently one of those crustaceans had plans to do some growing.

Bubba immediately went to the garbage and pulled out the exoskeleton.  "Wow, this is cool," he said.  "Can I put it on my shelf?" 

Um,  no!

So, how many of you knew that hermit crabs shed?

7 comments:

  1. Hmmm I guess we all learn something new every day as I never knew.

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    1. It was a surprise to me, and you'd think I would know, since I have so much experience with critters! LOL!

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  2. Well, now I know!
    Everyday, we live and learn...

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  3. I had no clue and have none now. You can't get anything out of me. I'm an idiot.

    Love,
    Lola

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  4. I never knew.

    Now there might be an idea for a picture book in that story.

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  5. I thought all crabs did that - I'm probably wrong;-)

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