Method for curing shy hermies!

[anniehorsekrab]

One of my hermies at home (Your Shyness– who else?) is the shyest hermit crab to walk the planet. I was going to post a question about how to get rid of his shyness, but then I started developing a method of my own. I hope this helps:

I came in one night and all of my babies were out. Knowing it would scare Your Shyness, I crawled on the floor until I could peek my eyes over the top of the table and look in the tank without them flying into their shells. They retracted a little bit at the sudden movement, but I stayed still and didn't do anything. Your Shyness accepted my presence and was fine. Now, whenever I go in there, I always make sure I am at their level so that I won't seem daunting. Then, I slowly rise and look at them, without picking them up, to slowly build their trust. Obviously. Scooter and Mr. Krabs don't mind being picked up to play– Your Shyness is the one who needs the work. But he now accepts my being there and I hope to be able to pick him up as a normal crab soon. Besides being the shyest, he is also the youngest of my 3 hermits, and that might be the source of the issue. I hope that this method helps, or that you've developed your own method of dealing with hermit crabs like this! Good luck!

[emmac350]

Some crabs will never fully get used to us. I have one I have seen only a handful of times in the last few months - he stays underground until well after we go to sleep and I don't have the energy to wake up to find him at 3 in the morning. Patience is the big thing with crabs. I have one (Benny, the one on my hand in my crabbytition entry picture) who NEVER used to come out when handled. One day I just sat there with him on my hand for at least fifteen minutes straight, not moving my hand (it's much harder than it sounds, let me tell you) and he eventually came out. When he did, he realized that I wouldn't let him fall (he fell once back when I first got him) and now when I take him out, he's usually out of that shell in two or three minutes and, once out, doesn't scare back into it for anything. He's one of my bolder ones.

I will stress this though - if you want to see your crabs, don't take them out when a bunch of people are around. My family and my husband's family were all over at our place two weeks ago and I took him and Nibs out to show people - they were all very curious about my crabs. Unfortunately, I haven't set sight on one crab since. They were not happy at the change in our schedule (when it was light in the house especially as with that many people in town, nights will be much later) and at so many people staring at them. So try to keep it calm around them. I'm being patient...they'll come out sometime. I hope.

[anniehorsekrab]

One day I just sat there with him on my hand for at least fifteen minutes straight, not moving my hand (it's much harder than it sounds, let me tell you) and he eventually came out.

That's what I did with Your Shyness one day, but I've now found a much more effiecient way to treat him! Great job with Benny.

[CrabbyJo]

Good job Annie! I've found if I approach at a lower level, my crabs accept it better too. Also, if I go by the tank, it's best if I move more slowly, instead of a usual walking pace. Then they don't scare into their shells. I thought having them in the living room would help cure them, but they are still as startled as ever!
I think every crab has it's own unique personality, and I think that with love and tender loving care and perseverance, you can definitely win some over. Some will never stop being afraid I think, but that's just the way it goes. But what do I know, I've only been crabbing for 6 months!
Way to go!

[Wai]

My hermit crabs are more inclined to come out of their shells if I make eye contact with them. However, this doesn't work if they are slammed shut in their shell.

[anniehorsekrab]

Thanks for all your positive feedback! It's great to know that lots of other people are solving their hermie's shyness. And, like CrabbyJo said,

if I approach at a lower level, my crabs accept it better

Keep up the great work everybody!

[Zacshack174]

Yea, thanks for the advice. I have a small crab who get very shy if you make sudden movements, so I creep up on him and pick him up and he stays out of his shell.

[anniehorsekrab]

Yea, thanks for the advice. I have a small crab who get very shy if you
make sudden movements, so I creep up on him and pick him up and he
stays out of his shell.

Yes, this is definitely a very effective method! Great job guys!