HCA: Hermit Crab Association

One of my hermit crabs, Violet, is very shy. Only 10% of the time I can get her to come out of her shell in my hand, and it takes a long time too. I'm used to it though. Today I found my other one, Michelle, up from the dirt (not molted). I picked her up, and held her at 15 minute intervals throughout the hour. All she did was wiggle a claw, and she usually always comes right out and runs across my palms. I'm not necessarily asking why there both shy now, (I'd like to know), but how to make it so they aren't anymore. Thanks!

(PS: I tried to hand feed Violet some peanut butter today but she wouldn't take it. :C)

Maybe she has an injury she's nursing? (I hope not)

Possibly, I will check on her tomorrow. (I don't want to stress her out. :s)

Maybe she's getting ready to molt? I notice personality changes when crabbies are preparing for a molt.

Well what do you know, I try to find her to check her out and she's back underground again. xD I'm more and more suspicious that it IS a molt. My soil isn't very moist at the moment because I was planing to moisten it tonight. But I'm not sure if I should. I'll post a thread asking.

you could use a squirt bottle (you can buy brand new empty ones at wal-mart and the dollar store for the same price) and just mist the dirt

Thanks, my dirt is already all moist now though. Thanks everyone for your help!