Shell shopping

Where we discuss the behavior of our hermit crabs, as in fights, pecking orders, shell swaps, etc. Please post all naked-crab posts in the Emergency forum.
Locked
User avatar

Topic author
courtbri
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 9:21 am
Location: Salamanca NY

Shell shopping

Post by courtbri » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:09 am

Just wanted to share a picture of a few of my crustacean kids checking out the shell shop. They are so funny to watch. Harry is notorious for switching shells constantly and will try to keep several of his favorite shells near him so no one else can take them. I almost lost Harry several months ago after an unsuccessful moss pit molt. I hand fed him for over a month until his strength was up. Seeing him back to his old antics just does my heart good. Image


Crabbing for 2 years-still obsessed! 6 total crustacean kids. Gave up trying to tell them apart but I love them all.
My clan consists of-4 PP's: Paul, Juan, Salt & Pepper. 3 E's: Harry Houdini, Sarge and RIP Gary-lost during a molt. A Yorkie-Joey, Orange Tabby-Milo
2 teenage daughters and a husband.
Top
User avatar

Topic author
courtbri
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 9:21 am
Location: Salamanca NY

Re: Shell shopping

Post by courtbri » Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:10 am

Let me add this is a second level which is higher up I had the lid off temporarily to take the pic. They have 3 levels including the substrate. Just wanted to clarify that. Lol


Crabbing for 2 years-still obsessed! 6 total crustacean kids. Gave up trying to tell them apart but I love them all.
My clan consists of-4 PP's: Paul, Juan, Salt & Pepper. 3 E's: Harry Houdini, Sarge and RIP Gary-lost during a molt. A Yorkie-Joey, Orange Tabby-Milo
2 teenage daughters and a husband.
Top
User avatar

YYWW
Posts: 2123
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:25 am

Re: Shell shopping

Post by YYWW » Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:32 am

I love your "sky shop" and was inspired by you!!


Crabbers unite!!!
Top
User avatar

singlemomwithcrab
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 4:59 pm
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA

Re: Shell shopping

Post by singlemomwithcrab » Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:14 am

I may have missed it in another post but I would love to see your whole tat. :D
"Do or Do Not. There is no try"
50 PPs, 1 E
Top
User avatar

kate.e.m.
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:32 pm

Re: Shell shopping

Post by kate.e.m. » Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:11 pm

that's such a cool idea!
my three guys have all recently molted and while jebediah and nebuchadnezzer both upgraded to new shells, my littlest guy, clem, hasn't. he has tried a few on for size but as soon as another crab gets close to his old shell, he races over and puts it back on. i don't want him to be cramped in a shell that's too small but he doesn't seem to like the other ones. he is pretty darn tiny...any suggestions on shops with small small shells? or is this typical shell shopping behavior?

thanks!
kate
Top
User avatar

kate.e.m.
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:32 pm

Re: Shell shopping

Post by kate.e.m. » Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:39 pm

Image

clem is shell shopping here...BUT last night she made the move into a bigger (unpainted shell, FINALLY!). this morning i found her climbing the side of the tank :crabbigsmile:
Top
User avatar

thermidor
Posts: 68
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:02 pm
Location: The OC, California

Re: Shell shopping

Post by thermidor » Fri Feb 20, 2015 12:03 pm

For my crabs I sometimes see them take interest in a shell over and over but not move in. I think they may be working to modify it when we see them with their faces and pinchers down in there. Next day, they will do a little more. I have no idea how long this takes but as it is exacting work (one little pinch of shell at a time) it could be a very long process. That is why all of a sudden "poof" one day they make the move. I am betting they have tried it on many times and found that it still needed tweaking. Of course this is the e's, the PP's just clumsily stuff their big butts into whatever is around :lol:
Top
Locked

Return to “Crab Behavior”