Crabs won't get in water

[Eggster]

I've been a long time lurker and finally registered to ask this question.

In the three or so years I've had my crabs, I've never seen them submerge themselves in either of the water dishes. The freshwater bowl is some type of reptile feeding dish with steps leading to the bottom. The saltwater bowl is a simple ceramic bowl with stones at the bottom to allow my smallest crab to get out. Both bowls are deep enough to cover my largest crab.

I've seen over and over again about how important it is for them to submerge themselves but my little guys just won't. They'll perch on the edge of a bowl and drink all the time. I've only ever seen them inside a bowl, when they've literally fallen in it. I have even let the freshwater bowl get a little low to see if they'll use the steps to climb down. But no, my silly crabs just perch on the edge and stretch.

Anyone have thoughts on why my crabs are so weird?

[Moonlightdreams]

I wouldn't worry about it. Your guys know what they need, and they very well could be going for nighttime swims when you aren't around! My two aren't big on submerging themselves either; at least, not in the daytime. They just hang from the rim of the dish to drink.

[GotButterflies]

Hello! Welcome to officially joining the HCA!

I've had some crabs that fully submerge, and some that don't...
I have a couple of crabs that drag shells from the shell shop to the msw...
Crabs are well...weird!

[piratetoothgir]

Remember to never force any crabs into the water, they use the bowls when they feel the need to.

[wodesorel]

The purpose is to give them the option if they need or want to. We aren't watching them every moment of every day and they may be dipping in when no one is around to see, it can be impossible to tell. For drinking they will just hang off the edge and dip.

[crabby33]

I've never seen either of my crabs submerge but I know when someone has been in the water because there is sand on the bottom of the tupperware from someone's dirty feet. But I never know which one is doing it. I think mine are taking a swim when I'm not looking. Crabs do like their privacy.

[Mindibun]

I have a waterfall set up for mine and I never see them get in it, either. I see them drink from it - standing on the edge, but never see them submerge. I really wish they would!

[Eggster]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm just now able to get back on here.
My crabs still refuse to submerge but have learned the stairs in my fresh water bowl exist and occasionally use them.
I guess they just don't like getting wet. My largest one certainly hops out in a hurry when falls in the bowl.