Crab took a Tumble

Questions about designing a terrarium.
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naejakire
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Crab took a Tumble

Post by naejakire »

This is the best section I could think of putting this in. The other night I took my crab out to roam my room. He usually spots a dark spot and heads for it then sits there until I put him back. I wasn't sure how much he liked getting out of the tank until the next day.

When I woke up I thought he had buried himself in his little hole he has dug to sleep in. Before I left for school I happened to turn to look back in my room and spotted him beneath my bed. He had escaped and most likely had fallen almost three feet. He had broken through a climbing wall that was glued over a missing part in the tank(it's a turtle tank).

He seems fine and has been active, but I have a question. Does anyone have experience with a crab escaping, falling, then repeating the behavior? I want to know if there's a chance he "learned his lesson." I have fixed the situation but I was wondering if he would keep trying to get out. (there is a glass lid covering the top)

Thanks!
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Wai
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by Wai »

Hermit crabs enjoy escaping the tank, so the chances are that he'll keep hunting for escape routes.
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ladybug15057
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by ladybug15057 »

I agree with Wai. For your question
"I want to know if there's a chance he "learned his lesson."
will he relate that "going through this hole I fell and got hurt", no. Hermies do not relate to things like this as humans or dogs do. (and possibly a few other creatures) Same as if they are put on a table, they have no depth perception. They would continuously walk off the edge of a table if precautions were not taken.
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naejakire
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by naejakire »

Thank you for replying!

I think I might seal the area without glass with plexiglass, even though I have it covered. I feel better that way since my crab is starting to "come out of his shell" so to speak. He seems to be one of those shy but mischievious crabs.
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Wai
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by Wai »

With training it may be possible to teach a land hermit crab something, but they are extremely difficult to tame (if even possible in the first place). I have never tried taming mine - I just let them be themselves.
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ladybug15057
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by ladybug15057 »

By sealing, will there still be air flow in the tank? One needs fresh air/oxygen within the tank too.
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naejakire
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Re: Crab took a Tumble

Post by naejakire »

Oh, I could definitely do it in a way that there would be airflow, wouldn't want to suffocate him!

I don't think I'll bother taming him either, he's actually pretty calm so the whole thing was extremely surprising. His natural "crabbiness" is endearing anyway.
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