crab behaviour

[donaldthecrabbie]

hi! i noticed two of my crabs (one female, one male) sitting in a coconut hut together. The male is on top of the female and has been sitting there all day. There hasn't been much movement (the female has stayed in her shell all day). I don't think this is shell jacking as the male has made no attempt to rock, pinch, or otherwise kick the female out of her shell. is this mating behaviour, a long display of dominance, or is this just normal activity?
thanks :)

[crabocado]

Surprised none of the experts has chimed in yet! I have never observed hermit crab mating (no chance of that happening, since my crab is a "spinster" living alone), but I was curious to search for observation reports. Certainly, the male and female must partially emerge from their shells for sperm transfer to actually occur. I was unable to find a detailed, professional description of the mating process, though. But it does sound like there may be some "mate guarding" behavior before/after the actual act of sperm transfer. So perhaps what you observed was the male hoping to initiate mating, or even pre/post guarding behavior?

[curlysister]

Surprised none of the experts has chimed in yet! I have never observed hermit crab mating (no chance of that happening, since my crab is a "spinster" living alone), but I was curious to search for observation reports. Certainly, the male and female must partially emerge from their shells for sperm transfer to actually occur. I was unable to find a detailed, professional description of the mating process, though. But it does sound like there may be some "mate guarding" behavior before/after the actual act of sperm transfer. So perhaps what you observed was the male hoping to initiate mating, or even pre/post guarding behavior?

LOL I am the same - I have never witnessed any mating (or even guarding) behavior. I was also hoping someone else would chime in!