HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I brung home two E's today, and they climbed on top of the hideaway thing. Well, one of the hermit crabs climbed on the other E, and...it made a sound. It sounded like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFfWVVSnKyg

It went on for a little, then the hermit crab on top climbed off and went to the substrate. I found this very strange so i came on here wondering what could have happened.

Chirping is normally a sign that something is wrong, but there are some Es that will chirp for just about any reason. I have one that chirps a lot, pretty much if it sees another crab. Sometimes they will chirp because another crab is attacking them, so if you hear chirping it's always a good idea to check out the tank and see if something is going on.

Sounds like the one on the bottom was upset over being walked on. With Es they tend to be very vocal when they don't like something. Like Crabbymom said it's usually a sign that's something wrong and the crab is upset or panicking (like a shell fight or being attacked) but it can just be a way for the crabs to express their displeasure to each other.

Sounds like Friendlyfeat and Sputnik their first week home. Friendlyfeat decided Sputnik was his ladder of escape so he'd climb on Sputnik. Sputnik couldn't balance on the log like that so they would sway from side to side and eventually they would both topple over. Sputnik would then chirp (hermit yell) at Friendlyfeat for a bit.

Chirping usually means something is wrong, as has been said. I did have one hermit who was stressed for the first month home and he chirped everyday, once, at the same time every night. Turns out no hermit was bothering him. He just felt a need to vent.

As has also been said, sometimes hermits don't like being walked on. Sounds like your hermit shares Sputnik's feelings on that matter. Hermits often climb over each other. Sometimes they want to get somewhere and another hermit is their stepping ladder, and many other times hermits get in the way of another hermit's path. Hermit's don't understand the concept of going around things, so they will go over or under obsticals including other hermit crabs.

When you do hear chirping, make sure there isn't a fight going on though. Sometimes that is why there is chirping. Make sure there are plenty of extra shells for them.