Some of us would like to begin studying some crab behaviors a bit more systematically. The first thing to do is to see if we can get a general idea about observations from folks. This poll is a first-trial run for collecting some info from you. THANKS for participating!
For the purposes of this question, we are only interested in finding out about instances of aggression that you or somebody else in your household (family member or friend observing your crabs) have personally observed--so for now, don't include things that you think MIGHT be evidence of aggression but you're not sure; for example, you found a naked crab and saw another crab wearing the shell the naked one had previously been wearing, and figure that was probably a shell fight, but you didn't see it happen; or, you saw a crab come up with a leg from a molter, then discovered the molter was dead, but you don't know for sure whether it was dead or not before the other crab found it and took its leg. We'll ask about those kinds of "inferred aggression" later.
Aggression, for this poll, would be anything you (or somebody watching your crabs) personally observed, including:
Shell fight: one crab grabbed another by its shell and shook it, trying to take the shell.
Molting attack: one crab (or more) attacked a molter and injured or killed it (and somebody discovered this as it was happening).
Resource guarding: one crab monopolizing a resource (food, a moss pit, a shell shop, water source) and threatening other crabs away from it when they get close.
"Boxing" or "push fights" (we realize these behaviors may or may not actually be aggression, but for now we'll include them).
Charging or outright attack (one crab running at another crab and either resulting in the other crab fleeing, or in the first one actually grabbing and injuring or attempting to injure the second crab).
Again, for right now we only want answers from people who have had BOTH PP's and E's for at least one full year (again, those of you who are newer to either species will get your chance to contribute later!). Think carefully about your answer and choose the one that best describes your situation.
