Why Do Many Crabs Die In or Near the Salt Water?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:43 am

While reading the posts here and on ther sites, I've noticed that alot of people have found their crabs dead either in or right next to the salt water dish, but I have heard no explaination as to why? I too have had some crabs die in the salt water dish. I dont believe it is the salt water that is doing it, but why do the crabs so often choose the salt water as their final resting place? I have searched the forums, but could not find a link, even though it seems to be a comon event.Does anyone have any insight into this?

tnyfootprntz · Post by **tnyfootprntz** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:37 am

All I can think is either there's some sort of unseen injury or the crab is having trouble with a molt. I've seen this happen twice and never could really figure out exactly what was wrong. One crab did have a really swollen abdomen, though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:09 pm

Could it be that those crabs are seeking that salt water out of a need, and it's just too late by the time they get there or they don't make it soon enough?Back in my ambulance days, there was a truism about heart attack victims usually being found in bathrooms. It wasn't that there was something in the bathroom causing heart attack deaths as much as the person having symptoms thinking that the antacid or other OTC remedy kept in there would help their chest pain. In other words, their location was somewhat coicidental.Could this be a similar thing?

MusicalMeg · Post by **MusicalMeg** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:58 pm

This might sound weird, but maybe they choose it because it reminds them of their first home in the wild. Maybe they know they're going to die and choose to spend their last moments somewhere that brings up happy memories of home. That's just a sentimental thought, though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:33 pm

It is a animals natural instinct to go to water when dying. I am a hunter and when i track hit animals they almost always run toward water. ANd often find animals along creek side when trout fishing. Its just animal instinct. Think about it if you were wounded in the woods where would you first go if you didnt have supplies.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 3:49 pm

quote:Originally posted by MusicalMeg:This might sound weird, but maybe they choose it because it reminds them of their first home in the wild. Maybe they know they're going to die and choose to spend their last moments somewhere that brings up happy memories of home. That's just a sentimental thought, though. This is EXACTLY what we are thinking to be honest...straws, by nature, LOVE their salt water dish and soak normally for a long period of time. I think they die there because they know they are ill and it does indeed remind them of their home. My Pyro sat in his salt pool for 15 hours and I found him dead a little while later. He was just...very still. His shell was full of water, he had the shell back in the recliner position we all tend to see our crabs take when resting...but his eyes were not lowered, they were up and dull looking. He was a jumbo straw. GOd I miss that happy crab!