New behavior

[MissFrost]

So, I have this new behavior that I observed this morning. I thought that maybe it was aggression, but this particular crab (Large male) has never been aggressive. He isn't shy, but definitely passive. He was very energetic, running circles around the perimeter of the tank as soon as the sun set. He was in both the fresh and salt water quite a bit, so I thought that maybe he would molt soon. But this morning, I found him right outside his cave, on top of another crab, and very far out of his shell. His had this crab flipped over, so that their shell openings were facing each other. His pincers were closed, and he seemed to be gently rubbing his pincers on the other crabs legs. Crab #2 was not pulled inside its shell, with its pincers also closed. Eventually crab #2 did this weird leg shaking thing. And now crab #1 is following crab #2 everywhere, and sitting on top of it.

My first thought is that maybe this is guarding or breeding, but its February and I thought breeding was done in late summer.

I have a video, I'll try to get it uploaded and linked.

[landlubber]

Mating behavior........ When I let a man rub my leg he would often follow me around.

[DarthKrab]

Mating behavior........ When I let a man rub my leg he would often follow me around.

Isn't this how all species breed? I know I personally make sure my SO's shell is facing me while I rub her leg

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[MissFrost]

Lol! Too funny!

From reading the info post in the breeding forum, it seemed like it was a end of summer type of thing. But if it is mating behavior, that makes me happy because it shows that they are happy and comfortable. At least I assume that's what it means.

[mlakers]

I would love to see that video!

Wait...is that weird?