New here, sudden weird behaviour question.
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2024 1:38 pm
Hi,
I have 4 crabs. 1 little, one a bit bigger and 2 big golf ball size one. Had for 2yrs or so. All get on ok but the 2 big ones are similar size and will have little confrontations occasionally, bit of pushing and shoving nothing more.
Today suddenly the dominant crab has become a bit slow looking and the other big one is taking a lot of interest in him. Appears to have taken over and thrown him out of the cave he usually controls. Just observed the two meet and the new dominant pushed the other into the corner and shoved him around quite relentlessly. The bullied crab also suddenly seems unable to retreat into his shell fully (believe it is the usual shell he can usually retreat into). New dominant crab stands over him making fast twitchy movements and occasionally opens the large claw and could easily grab an exposed leg/claw but does not.
Wondering what this means? Has this crab become ill and the other senses it? Seems really pretty aggressive but is not actually harming it.
Anyone got any ideas on this behaviour?
D.
Update. Less concerned now after watching, Seems they are having a bit of a argument over who is dominant but getting a bit more excitable than usual, lots of pushing and threat display but it does not escalate further.
I have 4 crabs. 1 little, one a bit bigger and 2 big golf ball size one. Had for 2yrs or so. All get on ok but the 2 big ones are similar size and will have little confrontations occasionally, bit of pushing and shoving nothing more.
Today suddenly the dominant crab has become a bit slow looking and the other big one is taking a lot of interest in him. Appears to have taken over and thrown him out of the cave he usually controls. Just observed the two meet and the new dominant pushed the other into the corner and shoved him around quite relentlessly. The bullied crab also suddenly seems unable to retreat into his shell fully (believe it is the usual shell he can usually retreat into). New dominant crab stands over him making fast twitchy movements and occasionally opens the large claw and could easily grab an exposed leg/claw but does not.
Wondering what this means? Has this crab become ill and the other senses it? Seems really pretty aggressive but is not actually harming it.
Anyone got any ideas on this behaviour?
D.
Update. Less concerned now after watching, Seems they are having a bit of a argument over who is dominant but getting a bit more excitable than usual, lots of pushing and threat display but it does not escalate further.