Keg's Hermit Crab Interaction Theory

dylan644 · Post by **dylan644** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:53 am

Well, I couldn't find the topic, so maybe it is getting archived. So I'm starting a new one. Just want to tell you all that I did this once again today. Berry was sitting on the vines that lead up to the caddy. I walked up and started wiggling my index and middle fingers. She lifted her antenna in response. I started wiggling them more. In the up and down greeting or excited way. Up and down fast. She turned her eyes and looked at my fingers and turned towards me. We followed each other into the caddy. I started to copy her movements a little big and she got on the edge of the caddy and sorta sprawled out on the glass like if she could get out of the tank she would. It was fun. I just enjoyed that she looked and we got to have a little....conversation.

CrabbieLover1031:D · Post by **CrabbieLover1031:D** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:44 am

Mine just stare at me and do not seem to respond.

Irun26pt2 · Post by **Irun26pt2** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:41 am

I know. I love this! I get a similar reaction about half the times I do this with my crabs. It's nice to know that I can say "hi" to them without terrifying them

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:45 am

if i do this while my crabs are on the climbing branch they immediately close thereselves in their shell and hide.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:12 am

quote:Originally posted by metalhead:if i do this while my crabs are on the climbing branch they immediately close thereselves in their shell and hide. Maybe there are other factors involved that make interaction likely to succeed or fail. If we can figure out what they are, it's a step forward in learning the "social cues" of a crab (assuming there is such a thing).Could you try it again when they're not on a branch? If it works then we learned something.

dylan644 · Post by **dylan644** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:31 am

Try coming at them very slowly. Start wiggling your fingers a little bit away from the tank and keep it level to the crab. And keep you are out away from your body. Try that.

ashdawn14 · Post by **ashdawn14** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:28 am

I've had it work before too. But I have to come at the tank at the crab's level before I get close to the tank, so if they're on the floor of the tank I squat down. If they're in the caddy or on top of the hut, I just hunch over. walking up to the tank upright scares the bejeebers out of them still.

CrabbieLover1031:D · Post by **CrabbieLover1031:D** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:33 am

IT WORKED IT WORKED IT WORKED LAST NIGHT!!! One thats very shy walked over to me, stayed there for about 20 seconds, and walked away.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:28 am

quote:Originally posted by CrabbieLover1031:IT WORKED yay

ILoveHermitCrabs302 · Post by **ILoveHermitCrabs302** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:56 am

lol this is funny! I want to try it!! I'll tell you guys how it turns out lol

dylan644 · Post by **dylan644** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:05 pm

quote:IT WORKED IT WORKED IT WORKED LAST NIGHT!!! One thats very shy walked over to me, stayed there for about 20 seconds, and walked away. Lmbo!!!!!! Good to know that you got their attention. Now if you were to do it some more, they may get use to you being around and such.

CrabbieLover1031:D · Post by **CrabbieLover1031:D** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:08 am

Yep, it continues to work more, the other crabs seem a little more interested now that Titan is! He walks over to me every time I do that now. Isn't that funny how you can tell when they're running or just strolling along casually in their little crabby life? Mine just seem to stroll to me when i do tht, not run.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:12 pm

Man, I would be happy if mine would just come out while I'm in the room with them! I have to go to bed, turn all the lights out and then sneak back out into the living room with a flashlight just to catch a glimpse of them. We joke that I have a humid tank in the room that I enjoy cleaning and putting fresh, organic food into for no reason because we really never seem them. LOL

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:18 pm

quote:finalfantasyxii: We joke that ...we really never seem <to see > them. LOL Sir, these are difficult creatures. And they deserve to be, considering the difficult times they are in.Someday, they will show up during the day. They never really sleep and they can see in probably greater than 360 degrees. So if we have a trait worthy of making them interact, they will someday, someday, find it.In the desolate times until then, share the pain of their snubbery with those who understand. I'm not mentioning names but you know who.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:31 pm

[QUOTE]Yep, it continues to work more[QUOTE]I'm glad it works for you, Micky. Those crab people have friendship to offer. It will be better for us all if we figure out how to accept it.