Is this normal crab behavior?
Is this normal crab behavior?
This is Brutus. He's the cutest little thing!
https://postimg.cc/grg7wyrK
https://postimg.cc/7bt9j7LC
I've had him for about 3 years now and he is very protective over all the crab shells. He watches the shells all the time and won't really let the other crabs check out the shells without running up and trying to stop them...even crabs 3X his size. He has never really hurt the other crabs (that I have seen). He will just run get in front of them, use his claws to shove or he will grab them by the shell from behind and won't let go while they are trying to break free. He doesn't shake the other crab...he just hangs on to its shell to keep it from going where he doesn't want it to.
If I see a crab checking out the shells, I have to get Brutus before he sees them and put him up high on the climbing net or house in the corner of the tank in order to occupy him for a while. I thought he was just being a little tank bully. He sometimes chirp/fusses at me when I have to move him or pick him up for some reason. Sometimes it's cute or funny but this is getting ridiculous now! He will run up and down the glass making sure my hand doesn't get near his shells.LOL
Watch these video links
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0UNxA5a ... U4W9C3zbCA
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0GSYCTs ... Pou2HQ9o2A
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Z67uJp ... SPu_0l_FBw and please tell me if this is normal hermit crab behavior or not. I'm getting a little concerned. I've been crabbing for 3 years now and I have a 60 gallon great setup with deep soil. I let them do as they please and never have had to really use an iso tank. My crabs always go down for molt and back up with no problems and are all healthy and seem happy (except for butthead here) LOL! I don't touch them except to move them around when I have to do things in the tank or to do a well check on their body. I really don't want to have to take him out of his huge beautiful paradise. I'm afraid if I change his environment I'll lose him and I would feel terrible. He's pretty much my only problem child and I need some advise. Thanks
https://postimg.cc/grg7wyrK
https://postimg.cc/7bt9j7LC
I've had him for about 3 years now and he is very protective over all the crab shells. He watches the shells all the time and won't really let the other crabs check out the shells without running up and trying to stop them...even crabs 3X his size. He has never really hurt the other crabs (that I have seen). He will just run get in front of them, use his claws to shove or he will grab them by the shell from behind and won't let go while they are trying to break free. He doesn't shake the other crab...he just hangs on to its shell to keep it from going where he doesn't want it to.
If I see a crab checking out the shells, I have to get Brutus before he sees them and put him up high on the climbing net or house in the corner of the tank in order to occupy him for a while. I thought he was just being a little tank bully. He sometimes chirp/fusses at me when I have to move him or pick him up for some reason. Sometimes it's cute or funny but this is getting ridiculous now! He will run up and down the glass making sure my hand doesn't get near his shells.LOL
Watch these video links
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0UNxA5a ... U4W9C3zbCA
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0GSYCTs ... Pou2HQ9o2A
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Z67uJp ... SPu_0l_FBw and please tell me if this is normal hermit crab behavior or not. I'm getting a little concerned. I've been crabbing for 3 years now and I have a 60 gallon great setup with deep soil. I let them do as they please and never have had to really use an iso tank. My crabs always go down for molt and back up with no problems and are all healthy and seem happy (except for butthead here) LOL! I don't touch them except to move them around when I have to do things in the tank or to do a well check on their body. I really don't want to have to take him out of his huge beautiful paradise. I'm afraid if I change his environment I'll lose him and I would feel terrible. He's pretty much my only problem child and I need some advise. Thanks
Last edited by sallrw on Sun Aug 04, 2019 11:49 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
I could use as many ideas as I can get for this crabby situation. Thanks
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Re: Brutus, the guard over all the crab shells! Help!
Mine do this as well, as far as I can tell it’s not a behavior to be concerned by.
EDIT - If I do worry, I usually take a long object like a pencil and tap the offender on the back of the shell. This puts them in defense mode.
EDIT - If I do worry, I usually take a long object like a pencil and tap the offender on the back of the shell. This puts them in defense mode.
4 PPs + 1 E = Dusty, Momo, Merle, Seasalt, & Elvis
2 Captive Bred PPs = Randy & Roxie
75 Gallon Crabitat | Crabbing Since 8.11.2015
https://www.instagram.com/pinchersandshells/
2 Captive Bred PPs = Randy & Roxie
75 Gallon Crabitat | Crabbing Since 8.11.2015
https://www.instagram.com/pinchersandshells/
Re: Brutus, the guard over all the crab shells! Help!
Oh that's a great idea! Yes, great idea! I will use a long little stick and tap his shell to redirect his attention. I'm glad to know this is normal behavior. He's a little aggressive crab as it is and it has been a while since he's gone down for a molt, so it's probably getting about that time. I'll bet he's getting a little extra aggressive because he's about to go molt. I wish he would! ...NOT! Thank you!PinchersAndShells wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:17 amMine do this as well, as far as I can tell it’s not a behavior to be concerned by.
EDIT - If I do worry, I usually take a long object like a pencil and tap the offender on the back of the shell. This puts them in defense mode.
Last edited by sallrw on Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Is this normal crab behavior?
Lol! Omg that is too funny! I know this must be a hard situation to deal with but that video is too cute. He doesn’t want anyone near his shells, I love his little personality.
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
LOL! There are two picture links and three video links, did you see all three videos? Crazy crab! Now he's running over to stop them when they get in the food bowl too, GEEZ! I'm having to put my crab in timeout so the others can eat for goodness sake! LOL! I fixed up a small plastic Kritter Keeper and placed it in the tank so I can put him over in it when the other crabs seem interested in the food or shells. Little stink!
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
I did, I wasn’t connected to WiFi when I was trying to view them but it caught up a little bit after I posted that and I got to see the other two. My phone does that sometimes in the shared iPhone pictures or videos for some reason, it moves faster on WiFi. I love how he chases you back and forth, I am so in love with his fearless personality. He is sooo cute!sallrw wrote:LOL! There are two picture links and three video links, did you see all three videos? Crazy crab! Now he's running over to stop them when they get in the food bowl too, GEEZ! I'm having to put my crab in timeout so the others can eat for goodness sake! LOL! I fixed up a small plastic Kritter Keeper and placed it in the tank so I can put him over in it when the other crabs seem interested in the food or shells. Little stink!
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
My Iphone does that too sometimes. Yeah, he is definitely a "fearless" cutie! Him and his timeouts are wearing me out though Thank you!RiNiKy506 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2019 1:10 amI did, I wasn’t connected to WiFi when I was trying to view them but it caught up a little bit after I posted that and I got to see the other two. My phone does that sometimes in the shared iPhone pictures or videos for some reason, it moves faster on WiFi. I love how he chases you back and forth, I am so in love with his fearless personality. He is sooo cute!
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Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
Too bad there isn't any crabby xanax. Lol
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
Isn't THAT the truth! I'd sure have me some tiny tweezers giving it
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
Lol @ crabby xanax and tiny tweezers to give it!
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
That is so adorable. I love it! I would love for my little guys to have some sort of personality. I have my 3 crabs for 5 weeks now and one has been molting for about 4 of those weeks, the other 2 stay hidden all day and only come out after the lights are turned off.sallrw wrote:This is Brutus. He's the cutest little thing!
https://postimg.cc/grg7wyrK
https://postimg.cc/7bt9j7LC
I've had him for about 3 years now and he is very protective over all the crab shells. He watches the shells all the time and won't really let the other crabs check out the shells without running up and trying to stop them...even crabs 3X his size. He has never really hurt the other crabs (that I have seen). He will just run get in front of them, use his claws to shove or he will grab them by the shell from behind and won't let go while they are trying to break free. He doesn't shake the other crab...he just hangs on to its shell to keep it from going where he doesn't want it to.
If I see a crab checking out the shells, I have to get Brutus before he sees them and put him up high on the climbing net or house in the corner of the tank in order to occupy him for a while. I thought he was just being a little tank bully. He sometimes chirp/fusses at me when I have to move him or pick him up for some reason. Sometimes it's cute or funny but this is getting ridiculous now! He will run up and down the glass making sure my hand doesn't get near his shells.LOL
Watch these video links
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0UNxA5a ... U4W9C3zbCA
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0GSYCTs ... Pou2HQ9o2A
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Z67uJp ... SPu_0l_FBw and please tell me if this is normal hermit crab behavior or not. I'm getting a little concerned. I've been crabbing for 3 years now and I have a 60 gallon great setup with deep soil. I let them do as they please and never have had to really use an iso tank. My crabs always go down for molt and back up with no problems and are all healthy and seem happy (except for butthead here) LOL! I don't touch them except to move them around when I have to do things in the tank or to do a well check on their body. I really don't want to have to take him out of his huge beautiful paradise. I'm afraid if I change his environment I'll lose him and I would feel terrible. He's pretty much my only problem child and I need some advise. Thanks
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- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
Hermit crabs are normally nocturnal. Many of us have Wyze Cam cameras set up so we can watch their nighttime antics.Sillymel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:53 amThat is so adorable. I love it! I would love for my little guys to have some sort of personality. I have my 3 crabs for 5 weeks now and one has been molting for about 4 of those weeks, the other 2 stay hidden all day and only come out after the lights are turned off.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
I've seen some videos on YT from cams inside crabitats. I want one too! I can probably keep a better watch on this little stinker with a Wyze Cam. Thank you for reminding me about a webcam! I think I will order one.Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:35 amHermit crabs are normally nocturnal. Many of us have Wyze Cam cameras set up so we can watch their nighttime antics.
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- Posts: 3029
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:41 pm
Re: Is this normal crab behavior?
raising son's dog, Dante. Husky/hound.
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi
Raising daughter's hermit crabs, Shelder, Paras and Derek. Added 2 more of my own (of course) Pete and Stryper. Former mommy to 2 guinea pigs and beloved cat, Nissi