HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So perhaps I'm going through a time period where I am obsessed with my crabs...but I saw my crab doing this today, and I have no clue what he/she is doing. It is around another crab, but is two inches away. The other crab is inside the hide. Is he/she trying to impress the other? It doesn't appear threatening. Ty for your feedback!https://vimeo.com/192037704


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Is he out of his shell almost? He looks stuck maybe, but if it is crab flirting I love it

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My crab has been doing the same thing lately lol! Except not in front of my other. Still don't know what it is

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kieagcarm wrote:Is he out of his shell almost? He looks stuck maybe, but if it is crab flirting I love it

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Yes, he/she mostly out of shell. Not stuck. Saw him/her able to move fine. Crab is acting fine, just saw him/her doing that for about 10/15 minutes.


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Sometimes when they lean waaaaay out like that, you'll see the tiny "hidden" legs clean poop out of the shell by pushing it forward. Not as romantic as crab flirting, granted, but a fact of crabbie life nonetheless.

I didn't see any poop, but that doesn't mean there wasn't any. Thanks!


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Ive seen mine doing this but not in front of another. Ive also never seen them poop [or poop when cleaning] lol. When my crabs were doing this they usually tried on a new shell after or had just put a new shell on. I always assumed they were getting situated. Maybe even washing some of the water they can keep in their shells over their gills or soft abdomen? Crabs are silly when they let you watch.

Interesting Just Jay, that hermit did recently change into that shell a few days ago, so that is possible!


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Nice! It was funny because i caught my own crab Tina doing the same thing last night. So i figured she might be shell shopping [what i call looking for a new shell] added a bunch of turbos [favorite of the week] and some others. Bam! She put on a new turbo right when she thought i was gone....or you know hiding being my desk chair lol

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This is usually a crab modifying their shell. They produce a chemical that helps them thin out the shell to fit better, make lighter, etc. if you notice some shells are "hot items" with your crabs that likely means they are already modified shells.

Given the choice a crab generally chooses a "turn key" shell as opposed to a "fixer-upper" but if not are available or don't fit right they mod it themselves. If you remember did that shell feel heavy? If so that's a good indication of fresh shell. P.S. only LHC seem to mod shells due to the weight and lack of predator bite force compared to aquatic crabs.

Very interesting information ~ thanks! I buy all of my shells locally, it wasn't heavy, but definitely a new one and not modified.


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EOD-Crab wrote:This is usually a crab modifying their shell. They produce a chemical that helps them thin out the shell to fit better, make lighter, etc. if you notice some shells are "hot items" with your crabs that likely means they are already modified shells.

Given the choice a crab generally chooses a "turn key" shell as opposed to a "fixer-upper" but if not are available or don't fit right they mod it themselves. If you remember did that shell feel heavy? If so that's a good indication of fresh shell. P.S. only LHC seem to mod shells due to the weight and lack of predator bite force compared to aquatic crabs.

I never knew that thank you!

Lel that looks weird