How to ease hermit crabs nerves

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marleylmao
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How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by marleylmao » Mon Jun 15, 2020 3:51 pm

Hello,
I previously owned a hermit crab who I ended up donating to my old science teacher before I had to go off to college. I’m now back from college, and my grandmother ended up getting hermit crabs from a garage sale because she knew I knew how to care for them. I didn’t know how many, or the condition when she called and told me, but when she showed up to my house it was very apparent that they were severely mistreated. There were maggots, and bugs all throughout their substrate, and the smell of the tank was absolutely repulsive. I immediately went to the store and got all new supplies. When I was cleaning it out I found a dead hermit crab in the dirt. They’re safe and healthy now, but my main concern is the fact that they are so nervous 24/7 and I want to help ease that in some way. Its to the point where if one of them is on top of one of the large pieces of driftwood in their tank, and they see me stand up from my bed, across the room, they will immediately go into their shell, sometimes resulting in them falling off of it and I feel so terrible. I just want to help them. Is there anything I can do? Thank you.
:crabblush:

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Hermielover121
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by Hermielover121 » Mon Jun 15, 2020 3:54 pm

I would just try not to touch them a lot. It will take some time when I first got mine they were very scared like that but now one of them is finally pretty comfortable around me. Us crabbers have mixed opinions and handling our hermit crabs some say that it’s good for them and it gets them more comfortable but most of us decide not to touch them.


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GotButterflies
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by GotButterflies » Mon Jun 15, 2020 6:19 pm

Hi! Welcome to the HCA!
I agree with not handling the crabbies. Make sure you give them lots of things to hide in as well. :)
Truly blessed to have incredible creatures, wonderful friends and my amazing family in my life!! I'm very thankful & grateful for all of them! www.thehealthyhermit.com


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marleylmao
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by marleylmao » Tue Jun 16, 2020 4:37 pm

Thank you both so much!


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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by DUDE » Wed Jun 17, 2020 5:41 am

I found that keeping them in the dark is also very helpful:)

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aussieJJDude
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by aussieJJDude » Thu Jun 18, 2020 5:48 pm

Its also a waiting game, as they become accustomed of your house, they likely to be less skittish.

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C_fiesta
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by C_fiesta » Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:49 pm

marleylmao wrote:
Mon Jun 15, 2020 3:51 pm
Hello,
I previously owned a hermit crab who I ended up donating to my old science teacher before I had to go off to college. I’m now back from college, and my grandmother ended up getting hermit crabs from a garage sale because she knew I knew how to care for them. I didn’t know how many, or the condition when she called and told me, but when she showed up to my house it was very apparent that they were severely mistreated. There were maggots, and bugs all throughout their substrate, and the smell of the tank was absolutely repulsive. I immediately went to the store and got all new supplies. When I was cleaning it out I found a dead hermit crab in the dirt. They’re safe and healthy now, but my main concern is the fact that they are so nervous 24/7 and I want to help ease that in some way. Its to the point where if one of them is on top of one of the large pieces of driftwood in their tank, and they see me stand up from my bed, across the room, they will immediately go into their shell, sometimes resulting in them falling off of it and I feel so terrible. I just want to help them. Is there anything I can do? Thank you.
:crabblush:
If they were in bad conditions, they might not have molted in awhile. I find that after the first molt they tend to mellow out a tiny bit. I've had my crabs for 3 years and I don't handle them much so they aren't really "comfortable" with me and I don't know if they ever will (I wouldn't think so because they are tiny and I am not). Crab's survival instinct says to run, hide, molt so they can grow, and get bigger. The bigger they are the less scared they are in my experience.
Hey! I'm Christine! I have 5 hermit crabs. Join me on Instagram @christinescrabcare. Also, checkout my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/christinescrabcare

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scuttlecrusty22
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Re: How to ease hermit crabs nerves

Post by scuttlecrusty22 » Sun Jun 21, 2020 2:21 pm

How are they doing now? They might have been nervous because of a new habitat, but I do agree with not handling them unless you absolutely have to. Good luck with your little guys! Welcome to the HCA!😆
(Scuttle, Crusty) crabs, (Buster,Ruby) chihuahuas, (Bugs) goat, (Echo) betta fish (Skittles,Sky) parakeets

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