The Shell Removal Experiment
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 7:41 pm
This is a continuation of the Something Interesting topic I created on Sun Feb 02, 2020 8:04 am. As the experiment has provided decent interest, I decided to organize it a bit more to make things easier to follow before they get to buried in ever ones comments.
The Theory:
In their natural environment, hermit crabs are unlikely to come across a large cache of shells on a day to day basis. By providing them shells daily it is my thought that they become disenchanted, and less inclined to change shells due to the ready availability. From this On a Tiny Caribbean Island, Hermit Crabs Form Sophisticated Social Networks I found out that hermit crabs will wait anywhere from 15-minutes to up to 8 hours for a chance to upgrade their shells. I am also aware that we as Hermit Caretaker's provide plenty of shells to avoid shell fights. But how to balance the two, so the hermmies can have enrichment, and to have no aggression.
The Experiment
I plan on removing all shells from their enclosure on Sunday Mornings, only to add back in the required 3-5 shells per crab on Friday nights. This time of no shells is to mimic the days they may not come across any shells in their natural habit, balanced with giving them roughly a 48 hour window to try on shells to prevent shell fights and aggression. It is my goal to get the community to become involved. This is to collect varied data to make sure that the crab species, size, and colony size are taken into consideration.
The Participants
One Medium-Large Ecuadorian (Coenobita Compressus) Name: Speedy
One Medium Purple Pincher (Coenobita clypeatus)
The Time Frame:
This experiment will go on for 1 Year. It is my hope by then with the Communities involvement we will have enough data to tell if this is a success, cautionary trial, or failure. I have started this on Sunday January 19, 2020 [so about a month ago].
Termination of Experiment
This experiment will be terminated if there are multiple cases of shell or crab aggression present and/or reported. The Hermits Safety is my number one priority. These will be taken on a case by case account and evaluated to see if lack of shells was the underlining cause.
My Data Collection So Far
This data spot will be updated with a summery every Sunday to add the weeks data. Any detailed notes can be found in the comments below.
Week of January 19th - No change observed
Week of January 26th - The Hermits became immediately interested in the shells when they appeared. They often rolled them around and checked them out.
Week of February 2nd - I have noticed increased activity even from my normally nocturnal Purple Pinchers. They are coming out during day time hours and seem to be exploring the enclosure, possibly for shells, unsure the reasoning behind the activity increase.
Week of February 9th - So far no one seems to show signs of aggression. Shy Guy changed shells anywhere between 8 to 10 times. He seemed to alternate between his old Babylonia shell and one of two green turbos. He finally settled on the Green Turbo . Speedy tried on a different green turbo, but ultimately switched back to the original shell. He was seen inspecting a few others as well. Thing 1 and 2 showed no interest.
Week of February 16th - Speedy my lone E showed intrest in the shells. Even a shell he normally has not had intrest in before. He settled on a large Green turbo. Speedy practically ran to the shells when they were noticed and spent the two days turning over and examining several of them even after the fact. The other three were down molting. Although thing 1 did shown up late Sunday night.
The Theory:
In their natural environment, hermit crabs are unlikely to come across a large cache of shells on a day to day basis. By providing them shells daily it is my thought that they become disenchanted, and less inclined to change shells due to the ready availability. From this On a Tiny Caribbean Island, Hermit Crabs Form Sophisticated Social Networks I found out that hermit crabs will wait anywhere from 15-minutes to up to 8 hours for a chance to upgrade their shells. I am also aware that we as Hermit Caretaker's provide plenty of shells to avoid shell fights. But how to balance the two, so the hermmies can have enrichment, and to have no aggression.
The Experiment
I plan on removing all shells from their enclosure on Sunday Mornings, only to add back in the required 3-5 shells per crab on Friday nights. This time of no shells is to mimic the days they may not come across any shells in their natural habit, balanced with giving them roughly a 48 hour window to try on shells to prevent shell fights and aggression. It is my goal to get the community to become involved. This is to collect varied data to make sure that the crab species, size, and colony size are taken into consideration.
The Participants
One Medium-Large Ecuadorian (Coenobita Compressus) Name: Speedy
One Medium Purple Pincher (Coenobita clypeatus)
The Time Frame:
This experiment will go on for 1 Year. It is my hope by then with the Communities involvement we will have enough data to tell if this is a success, cautionary trial, or failure. I have started this on Sunday January 19, 2020 [so about a month ago].
Termination of Experiment
This experiment will be terminated if there are multiple cases of shell or crab aggression present and/or reported. The Hermits Safety is my number one priority. These will be taken on a case by case account and evaluated to see if lack of shells was the underlining cause.
My Data Collection So Far
This data spot will be updated with a summery every Sunday to add the weeks data. Any detailed notes can be found in the comments below.
Week of January 19th - No change observed
Week of January 26th - The Hermits became immediately interested in the shells when they appeared. They often rolled them around and checked them out.
Week of February 2nd - I have noticed increased activity even from my normally nocturnal Purple Pinchers. They are coming out during day time hours and seem to be exploring the enclosure, possibly for shells, unsure the reasoning behind the activity increase.
Week of February 9th - So far no one seems to show signs of aggression. Shy Guy changed shells anywhere between 8 to 10 times. He seemed to alternate between his old Babylonia shell and one of two green turbos. He finally settled on the Green Turbo . Speedy tried on a different green turbo, but ultimately switched back to the original shell. He was seen inspecting a few others as well. Thing 1 and 2 showed no interest.
Week of February 16th - Speedy my lone E showed intrest in the shells. Even a shell he normally has not had intrest in before. He settled on a large Green turbo. Speedy practically ran to the shells when they were noticed and spent the two days turning over and examining several of them even after the fact. The other three were down molting. Although thing 1 did shown up late Sunday night.