Apparently

It's a sad day here.

It has come to my attention that one of the hermit crabs died.

I'm pretty sure it was Sandy. Well, the kids are pretty sure.

I think he was molting and we just could not leave him alone. He seemed so sleepy and we just wanted him to play. Apparently, they don't like to play during molting.

Apparently, they like to dig themselves into the sand and kind of hibernate while they shed their old exoskeleton.

Researching molting would have been a good idea BEFORE we sprayed him with water, gave him a bath and let him to play with the dog on the deck.

I guess seeing some of his old legs laying around in the tank should have also been a sign. Not a good one but also one that we would have know about had I researched it a little more. Apparently, they lose limbs during this process. Yuck.

Apparently, you are supposed to leave them alone during this process because it is extremely stressful on their little crab bodies. Bothering them can encourage a quicker demise.

And it this case it did. Apparently.

Because this morning when I went to check in on them?

The smell.

Was, well...really really really bad. Like dead fish.

Which is the only way you can tell a molting hermit crab from a dead hermit crab.

Apparently.

So it goes. I guess we are off to PetSmart to purchase a new crab. Which I said I would not do. But I feel if I would have researched, I could have been a better crab mom. So, I need a second chance. Well, a third chance and the other crab needs a playmate. Right?

Check out more stories from moms over at My Cup 2 Yours for Mom-Monday.