Won't climb, encouragement?

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » 28 Nov 2014, 21:47

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to post the topic, it would be great to have a behaviour section!

My large crabs are still quite timid, and it's changeover time tomorrow... I've noticed that they are happy to climb up on top of the resin halflog, but only the most adventurous will climb up to the second storeys... So I thought I could put the driftwood on the substrate as a start, and then gradually increase the angle to get them used to climbing again...

Just a thought. Any others?
Thanks! Ginger.

Post by **Wai** » 28 Nov 2014, 22:02

Mine climb a LOT more during the warmer months of the year. Not sure what you can do to make them climb more, but rearranging the tank every now and then might get them curious and explore around.

appps · Post by **appps** » 28 Nov 2014, 22:12

Have you got a photo of your tank so we can see what it looks like to get up to the second storey?

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » 29 Nov 2014, 08:42

Ok, here is a pic of my tank... So they have (starting from left) the net, the fake leafy plant, the vine, two pieces of very gnarled driftwood and the rock background.

appps · Post by **appps** » 29 Nov 2014, 09:27

They shouldn't be having any trouble climbing that. It's perfect for climbing. I'd put it down to not wanting to for reasons that would only make sense to a crab lol not can't.

I'd just give them time.

ladybug15057 · Post by **ladybug15057** » 29 Nov 2014, 09:59

Your tank looks good, is there anyway to get any vines or such to put in the more opened area in the middle to encourage them to come out a little more with the sheltering?

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » 29 Nov 2014, 10:14

yes, I will try that suggestion ladybug, thankyou!

emmac350 · Post by **emmac350** » 29 Nov 2014, 10:54

I've also found that having certain items only in places that require climbing will help them out. So my food bowl is in an upper level (helps with me changing out the food) and the empty shells are also on their own in another upper level. It forces the crabs to explore a little, and they definitely stay all over my chollas, as depicted in quite a few posts on the daily hermit...

aussieJJDude · Post by **aussieJJDude** » 29 Nov 2014, 12:09

Like emmac350, when i had my food bowl & shells on the second level my hermies always use to climb. Now that i have a shell shop & the food is on the ground, they rarely climb, unless it is a quick stop at the shell shop.
Adding some interesting things - like food, shells, cuttlefish bones ect.. - will increase the crabs "exploring" range. Another thing I noted was that I "managed to get my crab to climb" by placing some scented food like fish & fruit so they get curious and excited by smell.

BTW, I'm really liking the tank pic, Ginger.

Ginger · Post by **Ginger** » 30 Nov 2014, 15:03

Thankyou for all the suggestions, especially yours emmac350, I will definitely try that, and will keep updated. Thank-you Aussie, I LOVE my tank too! Especially with the doors it makes everything a ton easier, and encourages me to do all the chores haha

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