crab laid eggs in my tank; now they've hatched!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:28 am

I am just completely blown away. I can't wait for all the updates!

Keep em coming.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:43 am

1) If wild animals are so inclined and driven by instinct can they make choices or do they react on instinct alone?

If you give them a variety of living conditions, and they consistently move to one area, over the other, does it matter if they "chose"it, or "instinct" demanded it? You still learn what they (or instinct) considers to be optimal living conditions.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:23 am

I have to say that honestly I believe they are able to cross breed, given what I've seen one of my Es doing with other species! (What I first thought to be shell fighting/bullying may well be breeding behavior).

I'm going by what I know of other animalsâ€“the crab species are so closely related that it does seem possible (though unlikely) that they could cross breed. I'm thinking of coyotes who can breed with dogs and the cases of African cichlids who, though different species, and are found in different areas, are so closely related that they can interbreed. However the offspring are not fertile, as is my understanding.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:55 am

ChromeLibrarian, what I am asking matters to me. I'm trying to understand the connection of instinct and choice and if there even is one. For crabbing purposes certainly one should observe and if their crab tends to perform the same ritualistic behavior, the crabber should note it and provide the necessary means for the animal.

My question is: Does the animal thoughtfully choose to do something or is it something more along the lines of muscle memory or inherent genetic codes that cause them to react automatically...physiologically...without will?

Cross Breeding: Do we know how to determine if a crab is sexually mature?

Goodness, I wonder about the bullying too. Life finds a way, you know?

It seems obviousl that the two rugs would have gotten together. I'm assuming that is what happened. I just can't help but think of different possibilities. Or are they like a cat that when ready can mate with several different doners? No, probably just the rug...

Soooooo, how are the babies doing today? How many are there? Do they appear to be eating?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:07 am

melin wrote: My question is: Does the animal thoughtfully choose to do something or is it something more along the lines of muscle memory or inherent genetic codes that cause them to react automatically...physiologically...without will?

Cross Breeding: Do we know how to determine if a crab is sexually mature?

Soooooo, how are the babies doing today? How many are there? Do they appear to be eating?

cool questions, i wonder about that too

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 12:21 pm

Hey melin, what interesting questions. I would have to say that big decisions tend to be instinctive, things like what to eat and who/when to mate, where to live stuff like that. But smaller decisions are definitely choices. For instance, if you present a number of foods that are all edible, but they eat one more than the other, that is a personal choice. Other things, like training can really show how animals choose, for instance many dog breeds have been bred for centuries to hunt and kill small animals, however these same breeds can often be trained to ignore such stimuli. I also believe that the more complex the animal the more choices are made than instinct driven.
I definitely would believe that the crabs could cross breed too, seeing as many species can, horses and donkeys, different species of turtles with each other, even different types of birds. I hope the babies are doing well

you may have a new business on your hand jsrtist, if you can raise these babies successfully!

Freedomwolf · Post by **Freedomwolf** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:14 pm

I believe they can cross breed too. yesterday when i got me crabbies, there wer a pp or so that had bumps like a straw would.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:06 pm

Like several others, when I read the title of the post, I had my doubts of the truth in the words. Then when I saw the pictures and read your post, I was completely in awe and totally fascinated! I've only ever heard of hatching hermit crabs taking place in laboratories! What an achievement you've accomplished for being just a crab enthusiast. This is simply amazing. I hope the hatchlings pull through and enter adulthood.

Please keep us posted on the little ones' progress. I am eager to see how far they'll come along. ^^

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:24 am

I don't know how I missed this! How awesome! I can't think of a more credible member and second member to chronicle this occurrence!

After looking at your pictures, I am having second thoughts about what I thought were dead insect larvae in my salt pond some weeks back!

(That tank has a pair of straws and a pair of rugs.)

Keep us posted, PLEASE!

Jedediah · Post by **Jedediah** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:56 am

May I copy part of this thread to a German crab board? We're discussing breeding hermit crabs in captivity and I think that the info in this thread is really interesting and deserves to be read by as many people as possible

Here's the board:
http://hermitforum.siteboard.de/hermitf ... t31-0.html

HERMEZ · Post by **HERMEZ** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:19 pm

bummed you gave it a great shot! We are all proud of ya!!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:26 pm

Oh, I am so sad for you.

This was a huge thing though! You have all of us thinking. I even changed my tank around a bit, just in case my crabs ever need it. All of us are bound to be a bit more interested, and watchful because of this experience.

Much gratitude to you and your rugs.

We know you put in a lot of effort and did your best. Hopefully you see life or experience this again. Regardless, this has been momentous!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:21 am

well, now it is time to sift out the microscope and see how far along they got. One step closer!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:39 am

it's still pretty amazing that they ever even hatched! if there evver EVER are any egg in the tank agian, be sure to tell us!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:01 pm

Well, thanks to you guys we're one step closer to figuring these little guys out. Thanks for all the effort, and updates it was definately an exciting experience for all of us.