Crab Intelligence?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 3:28 pm

I found a website that claims hermits only have an intellect rating of 2 out of 5.What do you think?By the way I bought 2 more so my hermit crab does not get lonlely. All 3 are purple pinchersI named them Ebirah, Jet, and Speedy.

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:08 pm

Well, that depends. Intelligent compared to what? They're pretty smart for li'l prehistoric like critters. They come up with some pretty unique and inventive ways of gettin' out of tanks. On the other hand, they don't really get the concept of "around." They are what they are. Ya may not be able to train hermies like a dog, but their own behavior is amusing enough.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 4:36 pm

LOL Which animals are they above in intellect? I think mine have superior intelligence because they continue to find new ways to make me worry. Dumb animals would never have the capacity to figure out that I was happy with their current behavior, and then know to modify their behavior to upset me again.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:24 am

I don't think they're very intelligent at all. They're smart for a beach-going bug, I guess, but they're not trainable, and I've noticed that after a molt they forget who I am and it takes them weeks to get used to my presence again. I think they just have limited memory storage, and work more on instinct and biological programming than actual thought.Cute as the ****ens, though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:54 am

Heh, I've noticed how they tend to forget who you are after they molt too.They may not be the brightest little things, but like someone else said on here, they're certainly clever enough to find ways to escape the tank, which one of my crabs has been working on persistently for a few weeks now. It's amazing how determined they can be.

TheGreyRonin · Post by **TheGreyRonin** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:35 am

Hmm...No, they're not the brightest creatures on earth, but neither are they stupid. Blackberry is incredibly intelligent when it comes to taking things apart. Another thing. Everyone says crabs don't understand the concept of going around things. I must have exceptions; they rarely climb objects in their path if they can go around them. *shrugs*

KittyCaller · Post by **KittyCaller** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:04 pm

Hehee, mine tend to find going OVER other objects, including each other, the way to go. Ronin, whatever you're puttin' in the water, keep it up.

Jedediah · Post by **Jedediah** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:56 pm

I think they are extremely well adapted to being scavengers on a beach or a mangrove forest. So they cannot learn any tricks or remember us - but why should they be able to? It's just not something they need.

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:19 am

Yep, mine too seem afraid of me again right after molting. But I do have one guy (Bumpy) who daily plots his escape. The minute I remove the lid, he is up the nearest log or netting to have a look-see.... I know he's making maps at night while Im sleeping. And nope, mine never go around. In fact, they will struggle to hoist their rear end in the air and go backwards over something if they cant just climb it facing forward.... all the while 2 small steps to the side would get them around whatever object is in their way. Silly!So no, I dont think they are too bright... but CUTE!!! And personable, nonetheless.