A couple of weeks ago, I was in a pet store getting supplies for my hermies. I thought I would take a look at the hermit crab cage there and see how conditions were. (This store usually takes pretty horrible care of its hermit crabs, but it's the only one around that actually sells hermit crabs and hermie supplies.
)I looked in the cage and saw a medium-sized hermy walking around and looking pretty happy. I asked one of the store managers if I could pick it up, and he gave me permission. I picked it up, put it on my hand, and here's the very FIRST thing it did: walked over to the soft spot between my first two fingers and PINCHED down hard. And rhythmically. And no matter how steady I held my hand, that little guy did NOT let go.
There I was, middle of the pet store, crab clamping down on me. Manager took me into the back room to help get the crab off, and finally it just let go voluntarily.
Now, I love my own hermies and I've never had any problems with them pinching. They're at the border between small and medium, so they're smaller than the Pincher was, anyway. Now, I've never handled my hermies that often; when I do, it's to inspect them and see if they're healthy, ready to molt, etc.
I find I'm afraid to pick them up even to check on them.
How common is pinching behavior in crabs? Will certain crabs pinch more than others, just based on personality? Did I just pick up a meanie? Or was he just scared to be held?Help me get back on the horse again!
![[smilie=molted.gif]](./images/smilies/molted.gif "molted")
