Hermit switched shells now is always awake

[TheSaint408]

My hermit switched shells a few nights ago and ever since then he is always awake, he just seems to be hanging out. He is not eating or drinking any more than usual, but it has been at least 20 years since I had hermit crabs and I young so I'm not sure of normal behavior. My other crab switched shells last night but it seems quite content and is sleeping as it normally does. Anyone have any idea why one would be acting differently after switching shells?

[DragonsFly]

When you say he is "always awake," I'm assuming you aren't observing 24/7, so do you mean he has been more active during the day than he was previously, or more active at night, or both?

Typically, they are more active at night, since they are naturally nocturnal. But if he just seems more active overall, it could be he is just happier in his new shell (it is a better fit and allowing him to move more freely, perhaps?). Also, sometimes they are just more active and sometimes less, depending upon where they are in their biological cycles (getting ready to dig under to molt, or just up from a molt, they may be more active, while in between they may settle down some). Usually, more activity is a good sign of health. Unless he seems agitated or shows other signs of distress (chirping, limb-dropping), I would just enjoy the more active cycle.

[wodesorel]

Hermit crabs can't sleep the way we do. They usually have periods of inactivity where they rest in place, but it's completely normal for them to stay active for long periods of time. Crabs have different personalities and different activity levels, so like DragonsFly said, I would just enjoy having an active crabbie.

[Craftycrabber]

There is a possibility that his new shell is irritating him. Be sure he has lots of choices to change again just in case. This happened to me and when the little guy changed again I took the shell out and it had a very rough place in it. Just a thought.

[TheSaint408]

Resting in place seems an accurate way of describing his behavior. He is not agitated or showing any other signs of aggression, he's just hanging out under his plant. There are at least 6 different shells of various sizes in the habitat for him to choose from. When he originally switched he chose a shell and then switched into another later that night, but he seems happy with the shell he's in now. One of them was shell shopping again last night but they are both in the same shells as they were when I went to bed. As long as it seems to be a normal behavior I will enjoy it. Thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it.