u/FeedEast4014

Couldn’t get a pic because he went and hid. turtle lives outdoors. Enclosure has multiple wooden hides, aspen leaf litter, turtle safe plants, water dishes (2 deep & 2 shallow). Substrate is a safe topsoil. No lamps or anything since it’s outdoors, in sunlight most of the day. they are brought inside in a cool room to hibernate during winter. (Anytime it gets below 30° at night)
Diet consists of worms, calcium covered crickets, and a variety of fruits and veggies.
He’s been living like this for YEARS and there hasn’t been an issue up until now. Very suddenly (past few weeks) this has happened. The two other turtles living in the same conditions are completely fine. Are we missing something? Is he just growing fast & that caused a weird looking shell? There have been no traumatic injuries. Top is significantly smaller than the rest of the shell.

^^we are taking him to a vet. Trying to find the cause in the time we’re waiting to be seen (few days)

Hermit crab came up from a month long molt yesterday and hasn’t touched his food, essentials, or water at all
I have cameras and checked, since there was no sand in the dish or food pushed around. Any idea why? Usually he’s in his food bowl immediately after surfacing. He’s been in his coconut all of yesterday and today, and even refused the snack I tried to hand feed him (he usually takes it from me :c )

I’ve seen a few different posts where everyone says something different. Like, some people’s medium is large to others. Do we have a set size system like specific shell opening = small/med/large, or is it just guessing? I know it doesn’t technically matter as long as your crab has the right size shells but I’m curious.

I’ve been looking into getting one for a while, still debating. + have a few questions. Is a 40 gallon enough space for them? I have a spare 40gal breeder laying around but it’s not upright. Am I able to tip it on its side and use it like that if I make a door for it? Will strips of mesh on the front be enough ventilation? Building this is not impossible for me and I’m willing to do it, but if there’s issues with ventilation then I won’t. Again, not looking to get one anytime soon until I do proper research but curious to see if i can do anything with this extra tank.

I know it’s under the recommended 30-35 gallon minimum but it’s what I have on hand. I’ll keep searching for other critters if this doesn’t work but I really liked these guys c:

Before he even booked he told me that he had a dog who was disabled & needed help walking. I sit for a lot of older dogs who need medication, help up stairs, some have seizures, some blind, some deaf,!& other special care. Did the meet and greet and the dog is apparently deteriorating fast. I was comfortable doing the tasks (medication, carrying, etc) so I said yes to the sit. I’m now terrified that the dog will pass in my care after they mentioned a few more recent things in between the time I met them & now (a week). Dog isn’t eating as much, is on a higher dose of pain meds, lethargic and barely moving, not going potty, etc. I know I’m probably overthinking it but with the breed + the issues becoming more frequent this quickly I’m like 😬 since it’s a 2 week long sit. 🥲

Curious to see what others would do in this situation?

He’s being kept in a 5 (?) gallon tub with eco earth as of right now, what do they actually need?

Is there ANY way to get rid of them permanently? I’ve tried cleaning everything and they come back so quick. They are managed so it’s not bugging the crabs but it’s super annoying for me and I hate seeing things move around in their food

Really don’t feel like taking apart the entire tank just to glue more hooks on with aquarium silicone. As long as I make sure the crabs aren’t able to get to it, do we think a few small dots of silicone would be fine in the enclosed tank? Or would the smell be too strong? If it isn’t safe enough I’ll take it apart but i want to see what everyone else thinks before I disassemble everything 😞

I am STRUGGLING to find some- the ones I have are all self bred 🥲
I wanna see all the pretty fjords! Possibly trade/buy if possible 🥹

My hermit crab was given to me randomly for free so I didn’t have time to do research prior. They are living like royalty now but I wish someone would have told me HOW EXPENSIVE SHELLS ARE. And how expensive they are in general.
It’s crazy. Just paid $20 for 2 shells after searching for days to find some in her specific size because EVERY single shell shop was sold out.