HCA: Hermit Crab Association

It seems like Batman is the momma of my group. I think I saw her taking food to Lex when I first brought him home and he was hiding in the hermie hut. And, Batman started digging around where Man-Bat went down to molt two days before he came back up. Almost as if she was helping make him a tunnel to come back up easier. She hasn't been digging or bothering Man-Bat now that he is back up. When Lex started burying down to molt, I caught Killer Croc hanging around him a lot and wondered if she was helping him out in some way. I may just be trying to humanize normal crab behavior. But, I'm curious if anyone else has noticed behaviors where it appears they are trying to help each other?

I have been wondering the same thing myself. Last Friday one of my larger crabs used his claw to boost up little guy Moby who was having a hard time climbing on the cocoa hut. He slipped down a bit and the bigger guy did it a second time! I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself... Coincidence? Looking forward to seeing what others have experienced!

Awwhhh, that sounds sweet @Beebalm.

Years ago my oldest son was watching 2 crabs together. The smallest one, Houdini fell and landed upside down in the water dish. He was not able to get up himself. His friend Climbie held out his bp for him to grap onto. He did not try to grab it. So Climbie reached out using his bp and grabbed onto Houdini and flipped him upright.
I couldn't believe he sat and just watched. I would have helped him myself.

I recently got 2 new very small purple pincxhers and I had noticed while I was preparing there tank that one of the new crabs had brought a few pieces of coconut for himself and the other crab who I guess was too scared to come out of there little hideaway and he shared the coconut prices he brought with him. So yeah I guess Hermie's do help each other out! :roll:

Thanks for sharing! Those are all great stories!

I have a pic in the pic section where it looks like one of my hermies is about to jump on another. Acctually the big guy was stuck and watchin the smaller one from above appeared to be trying to help pull him up out of the spot he was stuck in.

Sweet!

Mine have helped each other as well. Ms.Hearts got hurt and lost limbs and her BF Herc took wonderful care of her while she recovered still is very protective over her now. BatGirl n her BF Reese are the same. Tho BatGirl is not afraid to kick Reese's lil butt in line when he needs it . Herc is always super gentle with Hearts n lets her get away with everything even hitching rides.

I've noticed my largest PP, Crabzilla, doing these things sometimes. When one of my smaller PPs was being picked on and was chirping Crabzilla came over and broke up the fight. I also saw Crabzilla lifting his big pincher and pushing a little crab up a cork log to help it climb (pic below, terrible quality though). I thought they were just coincidences but maybe it isn't so!

I got these last night it was so cute. Chocolate goin for a ride on top of Scary.

I haven't seen any of my crabs doing that but they sound so cute

I love all these stories!! Thanks for sharing everyone!