Should I Be Scared of My Crabs?

RealThugTom · Post by **RealThugTom** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 2:25 pm

So I have 3 hermit crabs and they are small/medium. And im scared to pick them up because i'm afraid their pinch will hurt me. Deep down, I really don't think it will because of their size but I may be wrong. How bad does a hermit crabs pinch hurt?? Thats what I really want to know. Keep in mind that i'm 14 and can take a little pain.

NLindsey921 · Post by **NLindsey921** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 2:41 pm

For me it felt kind of like when you get a shot from the doctor. And my crabs are on the small side of medium.

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YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 2:43 pm

I'm sorry, but I honestly laughed out loud when I saw the heading of your post with your name! Really cute! A real thug wouldn't be scared of anything!

Just teasing! Pinches can hurt. I really do not hold or touch my crabs. Imho they are not pets to be played with. They are more to be observed. They pinch out of fear. We are larger than them ~ and they are just trying to protect themselves. If you do get pinched, be calm, and try to put the crab back down. If you keep your hand flat they will let go. They need humidity to breathe. They have gills, so they really should stay in their tank. They can be seriously injured if thrown/tossed. (Just trying to cover all basses), not saying you do that.

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KayedeeLove<3 · Post by **KayedeeLove<3** » Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:56 pm

Maybe not be scared just respect the fact they have pinchers! If you live with that as a rule of thumb, you won't be scared. I don't touch mine unless absolutely necessary.

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WEC · Post by **WEC** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:17 am

We do take ours out for educational programs. They are held on a flat palm with shell supported with other hand. As far as I know, none of our educators have been pinched. Students are not permitted to handle the hermits. Make sure they feel secure and you should be fine. But, as suggested, I wouldn't keep them out too long.

CrabMater · Post by **CrabMater** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:13 am

Keep in mind, this is a crab. My Pinchy grabbed my palm skin and clamped down for 7 minutes before releasing me. I was cryin.

Im not saying they WILL pinch ya, but holy cats they CAN pinch ya.

robinwhiskers · Post by **robinwhiskers** » Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:17 am

As long as you're very gentle with them, they likely won't pinch. However, some crabs will be more skittish than others at times and they can pinch harder when they're more scared. I have pinched lightly by one of my small hermit crabs and it wasn't that bad.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association