HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Cosmo chirps all the time! I thought it was because something in the tank was wrong but temp/humidity are perfect and I even checked the temp of the subsrate and that's fine as well. He even chirps when I pick him up. Is there something really wrong or is he just vocal?

They usually tend to chirp when they are agitated. Mine chirp all the time and it is usually because someone is climbing on top of them.

I honestly think some just like to chirp. Sebastian will find the highest point in the tank and commence chirping. It honestly reminds me of a lion roaring over his territory. lol Only the mini hermie version. lol

Some will chirp when stressed, but I also think some just like to hear themselves. I had one hermie Bruce who loved to chirp away at night, and he would just be sitting there not doing anything whenever I would check to make sure everything was ok :roll: little nut.

I have had both crabs who only chirp when distressed, and others that tend to chatter away 24/7.

Caroline

Ive had my large chirp once when I was spraying the tank and he has yet to do it again. My tank seems to be very quiet. Do you guys think you have to have a certain amount of crabs for them to chirp?

I don't think so... I think it just depends on your crab's personality. I only had two the first time I heard them chirp. And to this day it's mostly just Sebastian that does. The others only chirp when startled or frightened.

Oh, good. I think his chirp is really cute so I'm glad it's not anythig to warry about^^

athlete3344 wrote:. Do you guys think you have to have a certain amount of crabs for them to chirp?

I have 56 crabs in 4 tanks and have never heard a chirp! I would like to one of these days so I know what it sounds like. Unless the little boogers are singin' while I'm at work!

You know... When I was doing all my research on hermit crabs before starting back up again, I actually found a site that had an audio clip of chirping... I'll see if I can dig it back up for ya.

EDIT: This isn't the original one I found a while back and I don't have any speakers at work... But... Here's a link to a couple Audio clips anyways. lol
http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/packsViewSingle.php?id=778

Wow! thanks Raen!
Don't you find it odd that with as many crabs as I have, nobody makes a peep? They certainly crawl all over each other, steal food from each other and I'm sure that just like people that live together, there are spats from time to time. But no one ever voices their opinion. I feel like i'm missing out on it...or maybe I should just be happy that I have content crabs

lol If I were you, I'd just be happy that you have a bunch that all get along. And don't worry, you'll get a vocal one someday. lol I don't think I've ever heard Marie chirp, Stitch gave off a couple when I first got him and I don't think I heard Jacques until the other night when he watched Marie surface from her molt. (She got a lot bigger... apparently he was just as shocked as I was!) Then again, Jacques could have chirpped earlier, but I would have just chalked that up to Sebastian because he's overly vocal. lol

my rugs never ever chirp. since i started keeping them till now, they have never uttered a single sound. they always fight over the highest spot of a branch, some of them even drop down, but they never chirp at all.

none of my crabs are big chirpers. my old crab, jewels, did once after i startled her and it was load. then lightning did it once. either my ruggie or jumbo do chirp a bit now and again, i think its the ruggie. but one thing i always get from a crab who is eating is the stone bash. they make a sound like two stones being banged together. lol

I have a crab who chirps; no make it a squeak.

Named Vanilla for her/his white body (it's a ruggie), Vanilla has just chirped once, I mean squeaked once when I brought her home.

I was putting her in the ISO tank when she squeaked! Sounds like a mouse squeak but I never found a mouse so I thought it was Vanilla (if it is not her/him, who else?). Also my Straw Squirrel (R.I.P.) did stridulation once; the art of smashing legs or moving legs at each other. Never heard of a real crab vocalization though. All of my crabs now are silent except when they are banging their shells with each other or falling on each other....