HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all, I hope the file works but basically I saw one of my hermits gently rocking the shell of another. I read that if its a gentle rock it could be mating behaviour but also rocking can be a sign of shell jacking. No claws were involved just a slow rock for 20-30 seconds or so then stopped and both parted ways but have been in the same are together all night. There are a huge variety of shells in correct sizes to choose from as well including double ups in style. No idea of the sex of either crab.//cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5f103b8324d ... 03_899.mp4

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I'm fairly new, so I don't know if I can speak to your question exactly, but something that could help is determining the sex of both which is not too difficult. Females will have two spots on their hindmost walking legs and males won't. The topic on Breeding should give some more help on how to determine this. I just picked my crab up carefully by the shell when he was on my hand and lifted him so he extended himself to stay on my hand. I was able to see his underside better and he did not have gonopores (those spots). Hope that helps a little!
viewtopic.php?f=123&t=92519

Typically shell rocking is them trying to shell jack. I've never seen them do that when they have bred. I wasn't able to look at the video bc it wanted me to download the video.