Whenever I walk by my tank and crabs are out, they immediately retreat into their shells, Like they're afraid of me. They do this for all members of our family.
Is this normal crab behavior? I've never handled my crabs before for fear of being pinched (one of them has a HUGE pincher) and think that may be the cause. I've read that crabs see movement more than anything else, and I move pretty fast..but even when I move slow they still retreat into their shells.
Any ideas on what I should do? I don't want them being afraid of their owners =/
Scared crabs
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llmercll
- Zoea I
- Posts: 157
- Joined: 18 Aug 2009, 01:19
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 3
- Total gallons: 10
- Total tanks: 1
- Location: NY
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hermie_lover3542
- Zoea II
- Posts: 219
- Joined: 04 Jan 2010, 01:06
- Gender: Female
- Hermit crabs: 17
- Total gallons: 84
- Total tanks: 5
- Location: fayette county, PA
Re: Scared crabs
How long have you had them? This is very normal for them because in the wild they retreat from predators and since you are big to them they possibly see you as a threat, even though you don't mean to. To get hermit crabs used to you try playing with them and handling them to help get used to you, but if there really new let them destress before that. Hope this helps 
*~-proud hermie mommy of 15-~*
They are Hermie the 2nd(medium pp), T.J.(medium pp), Big Daddy(large pp), Tank(Jumbo pp), Pearl(large pp), DigDug(medium pp), Freaky Fred(small pp),courage(Medium pp), Strawberry Shortcake(small pp), Tiny Timantha(tiny pp), T-rex(giant Indo), Bruce(medium strawberry), Autumn(medium blueberry), and Hor-Hay(medium blueberry).
They are Hermie the 2nd(medium pp), T.J.(medium pp), Big Daddy(large pp), Tank(Jumbo pp), Pearl(large pp), DigDug(medium pp), Freaky Fred(small pp),courage(Medium pp), Strawberry Shortcake(small pp), Tiny Timantha(tiny pp), T-rex(giant Indo), Bruce(medium strawberry), Autumn(medium blueberry), and Hor-Hay(medium blueberry).
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llmercll
- Zoea I
- Posts: 157
- Joined: 18 Aug 2009, 01:19
- Gender: Male
- Hermit crabs: 3
- Total gallons: 10
- Total tanks: 1
- Location: NY
Re: Scared crabs
Thank you for the reply =)
I notice now that they're only skittish once they come up from being buried. When they're out for awhile it looks like they are more relaxed.
I notice now that they're only skittish once they come up from being buried. When they're out for awhile it looks like they are more relaxed.
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hermie_lover3542
- Zoea II
- Posts: 219
- Joined: 04 Jan 2010, 01:06
- Gender: Female
- Hermit crabs: 17
- Total gallons: 84
- Total tanks: 5
- Location: fayette county, PA
Re: Scared crabs
No, problem. The more you spend time with them the more they will get used to you
*~-proud hermie mommy of 15-~*
They are Hermie the 2nd(medium pp), T.J.(medium pp), Big Daddy(large pp), Tank(Jumbo pp), Pearl(large pp), DigDug(medium pp), Freaky Fred(small pp),courage(Medium pp), Strawberry Shortcake(small pp), Tiny Timantha(tiny pp), T-rex(giant Indo), Bruce(medium strawberry), Autumn(medium blueberry), and Hor-Hay(medium blueberry).
They are Hermie the 2nd(medium pp), T.J.(medium pp), Big Daddy(large pp), Tank(Jumbo pp), Pearl(large pp), DigDug(medium pp), Freaky Fred(small pp),courage(Medium pp), Strawberry Shortcake(small pp), Tiny Timantha(tiny pp), T-rex(giant Indo), Bruce(medium strawberry), Autumn(medium blueberry), and Hor-Hay(medium blueberry).
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CrabbyJo
- Coenobita
- Posts: 1849
- Joined: 21 Jan 2009, 13:31
- Gender: Female
- Hermit crabs: 7
- Total gallons: 85
- Total tanks: 4
- Location: Alaska
Re: Scared crabs
It does help to approach the tank slowly as well, helps to not startle them, and eventually they will be more relaxed, as you are already beginning to see.
It also helps to speak to them in low, soothing tones so they get used to your voice vibrations as well.
It also helps to speak to them in low, soothing tones so they get used to your voice vibrations as well.
6 hermit crabs - 3 PPs and 3 Equadorians
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Please feel free to share information from this website, but please be sure to give credit and a link back to the information. Failure to give credit is plagiarism. Don't take credit for someone else's information.