Why can't my hermit crab climb it's wall? Depression??

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:15 pm

I've only had my hermit crabs for a couple of months so I'm still new and learning a lot =)

I have three hermit crabs. Recently I bought a special crabitat climbing wall made up of natural materials for my crabs. My smallest crab and medium one jumped right on it and have been crawling, but my larger crab can't seem too. He walks along the side of the wall clawing at it, but for some reason can not seem to get his claws attached to it. What should I do so he can climb too?

My other two crabs seem to have a thin needle-like spike at the tip of their claws while I've noticed my larger one doesn't. Is that contributing? And is he missing them because he's larger?

I really am worried. It may seem ridiculous, but I'm actually afraid he's depressed. He claws for a while when his friends are at the top and then he just gives up and goes to sleep. Please help my baby.
THANK YOU! =D

Dog Lips · Post by **Dog Lips** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:34 pm

Maybe it's too small for him?

You to think that sometimes a crab will just....not like it. you know?

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:59 pm

The cage is a ten gallon and the wall climbing stretches across the entire length of the cage on one side. =o

Dog Lips · Post by **Dog Lips** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:32 pm

maybe he just doesn't like it?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:43 pm

All things that have brains can become depressed, but your large crab probably isn't depressed he probably just doesn't like the feel of the climbing thing. Hermit Crabs seem to not like to hold onto some metals, paints, plastics, ect.

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:47 pm

no no no.
He really -DOES- want to climb. He tries to every single night and stands at the bottom clawing and trying to stick on. His problem is he -can't.- I really do think he's trying.

Thanks anyways =)

MacandHunter · Post by **MacandHunter** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:04 pm

Is it one of those brown mats that come rolled up? I used to have one of those for my crabs - they didn't like it. I think they are hard to climb. I'd offer something like a fish net, much easier to climb. See if your crab will climb that before thinking he's depressed. Best luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:19 pm

it could be that because he doesn't have sharp points on his leg tips right now, he just can't stick his toes into the material of the climbing wall, and so can't get a grip on it to climb. i'd do what macandhunter suggested, and put some net in; perhaps flush with or attached to the climbing mat, so he can grip that with his dull toes. hope this helps! he should get the sharp points back after he molts.

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:09 am

MacandHunter wrote:Is it one of those brown mats that come rolled up? I used to have one of those for my crabs - they didn't like it. I think they are hard to climb. I'd offer something like a fish net, much easier to climb. See if your crab will climb that before thinking he's depressed. Best luck!

It is that one. And my other two seem to like it fine, but I think you're right and I should invest in a net. Where would I buy that, though? Does any fish net of any material work? Do you recommend a certain one? I really would like to put one in, I think. Sounds like a good idea. =] Thanks!

megs · Post by **megs** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:26 am

Your smaller crabs have probably molted more recently than your big guy. The bigger ones take longer in between molts. His "toenails" have worn down since his last molt, but don't worry, they'll grow back.
He might be too big to climb the wall. His claws might not be able to grasp the tiny fibers or the fibers might not be able to support him. You can get fishing net at most craft stores or you can make your own from hemp twine.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:40 pm

Or you can look at hermitcrabaddictionstore.com they sell a wide variety of nets. it takes about 2 weeks for them to make one net, so there might not be a lot in stock.

MacandHunter · Post by **MacandHunter** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:16 pm

Riley wrote: It is that one. And my other two seem to like it fine, but I think you're right and I should invest in a net. Where would I buy that, though? Does any fish net of any material work? Do you recommend a certain one? I really would like to put one in, I think. Sounds like a good idea. =] Thanks!

I agree with megs. I get net at craft stores, there is a ton in one bad and you can cut it whatever way suits you best.

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:07 pm

Fishing net. Got it <3 I'll check Michaels and Ben Franlkin and see what they have. Hopefully they'll have some net just right. I'm not sure how to make a net out of hemp if not. =) Thank you all so much. I'll call them first thing tomorrow.

And thanks for the info about their 'toe nails'. Who knew they could run down? I'm glad they'll grow back for him, though!!

Edit: Oh wow! I just checked the crabaddiction store and I'm really excited! I found an online direction for making them, but I may look into the website one~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:16 am

Riley wrote:Fishing net. Got it <3 I'll check Michaels and Ben Franlkin and see what they have. Hopefully they'll have some net just right. I'm not sure how to make a net out of hemp if not. =) Thank you all so much. I'll call them first thing tomorrow.

And thanks for the info about their 'toe nails'. Who knew they could run down? I'm glad they'll grow back for him, though!!

Edit: Oh wow! I just checked the crabaddiction store and I'm really excited! I found an online direction for making them, but I may look into the website one~

The crab addiction nets are really well made but making them yourself might take weeks if you don't know what your doing. For $5 without shipping it's a pretty decent price. I have also noticed some of my crabs climb some don't I think it just depends on what they want to do. Seeing as they have their own personalities they don't all like the same thing and don't do the same things either.

I looked at that climbing mat before but didn't think it would be worth the investment seeing as I use driftwood. if you decide to order from crab addition contact vicki first as she has the nets made to order so they always say out of stock on the website. I don't blame her seeing as people ordered but didn't pay.

As for things to climb I think bits of wood and such are better for them as they can really grip it if they don't have harp toe nail etc. I don't recommend everyone go out and get driftwood but I did from our local beach, so far seems to be working fine you just need to make sure it's not a dangerous wood. I know it's listed on this site somewhere not sure where though.

Riley · Post by **Riley** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:34 am

Fizzmatix wrote: The crab addiction nets are really well made but making them yourself might take weeks if you don't know what your doing. For $5 without shipping it's a pretty decent price. I have also noticed some of my crabs climb some don't I think it just depends on what they want to do. Seeing as they have their own personalities they don't all like the same thing and don't do the same things either.

I looked at that climbing mat before but didn't think it would be worth the investment seeing as I use driftwood. if you decide to order from crab addition contact vicki first as she has the nets made to order so they always say out of stock on the website. I don't blame her seeing as people ordered but didn't pay.

As for things to climb I think bits of wood and such are better for them as they can really grip it if they don't have harp toe nail etc. I don't recommend everyone go out and get driftwood but I did from our local beach, so far seems to be working fine you just need to make sure it's not a dangerous wood. I know it's listed on this site somewhere not sure where though.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the advice! I thought her prices were extremely fair, too, but I do need to look into the shipping cost. If Ben Franklin or something doesn't have the net I need, I'll make sure to order from her. She seems really nice and really excited about hermit crab nets. =) I'm going to try to invest in a climbing log (the ones that have the holes in it so the crabs can get there claws over it without nails) and I do have a wooden carved out home from the pet store that they love to sleep and sometimes climb on. I'll try to upload a picture after the net so everyone can tell me if it looks right and safe.

I don't have much access to driftwood nor ways to clean it before the usage for my crabs, so I'll first focus on the net. Thanks so much!!

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Why can't my hermit crab climb it's wall? Depression??

Do you think hermit crabs can actually be depressed?

Why can't my hermit crab climb it's wall? Depression??