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….Am I the only one who thinks that LESS human interaction with hermitcrabs is actually better??
Part of taking care of hermit crabs, is basically like playing the waiting game.
I’m at the point where I just don’t really do anything to my hermit crabs anymore, because the less human interaction there is, the more “natural” their environment is.
I try not to play or handle them, because in the wild, they don’t get picked up or handled by humans.
I just…let them be. (And watch them, of course.)
I just make sure to keep their tank clean, provide them with clean food/water, and make sure that their temp and humidity is just right.
I don’t do the lovey dovey stuff where I take them out and play with them or let them out of their crabitat, since humidity and temp changes from going out of their crabitat can be stressful to them.
My general rule of thumb, is less human interaction, the happier THEY will be. Happier hermit crabs = happier me.
It’s not that I don’t CARE about my little ones. That’s far from it. But I’d rather have them live their natural lives as much as possible, w/o having to intervene with their lives.
I think that it is a pesonal preference kind of thing. However, I could not sit by and just watch them, I love to handle my crabs, though not every day. I don’t think they mind me picking them up, and letting them walk on the bed, crawling over me, and I don’t keep them out for long anyway. I think that they do get used to being handled, and its a great way to bond with them. I can hand feed my crabs, they truly are not afraid of me, they do not retract into their shells when they see me. I do love the fact that they never try to pinch me, and believe me, my big girl could take off a finger if she really wanted to! She chooses not to pinch, I know, she knows she could hurt me if she wanted to, but she is used to me, and she and my smaller male trust me, and I trust them. My littlest new guy is a bit of a pincher, but he is too tiny and I barely feel it! He had little kids handling him before I got him so I guess maybe they were a little rough. He doesn’t always try to pinch so, I guess he is getting used to “adult” handling. I don’t think there is anything wrong with handling the crabs, they do get used to it, and they do learn to trust you, which is something I find amazing. Keep on Crabbin’!
My first hermit crab is still alive almost 7 years into this relationship. The others have come to me along the way through various avenues. While I love watching my hermit crabs, I do not handle mine much if ever. The only handling they get is when it is time for deep cleaning the tank and that is accompanied by a brief bath. Otherwise, I do not handle them. My philosophy is that they are wild animals who were hastily and horrifyingly ripped from their homes, forced out of their own shells and into painted ones, then shipped to stores where their mistreatment continued. If what I can offer them is some peace and tranquility, then that’s what I want for them. No more trauma or stress.
Like Beth said, it is a matter of preference. Truth be known, my hermit crabs do not pinch me either when handled during this brief interaction. They do, however, back away from my hands as I replace their food bowl and add water to their pools.
Good luck and warm regards.
Julie
I would like to mention one other thing. The crabs themselves, and how they react to handling. My crabs do not retract into their shells when I take them out to play. They climb over toys I set out for them, willingly walk over my hand when I hold it in front of them, and when I place them back in their tank, they do not run and hide, so I believe it isn’t stressful to them. They may wander over to their food and eat, or drink, or just climb on the cholla wood, but they do not act like they are upset in any way. So, it also depends upon the crab itself. I also belive, they know they are spoiled rotten! Ha ha!
Thanks Beth, and Julie! It was fun to read your posts, regarding the matter. I agree with just handling them during deep cleans, I do like to play with them, but I try my hardest NOT to, because I keep thinking that they just prefer being in their own little worlds. To all their own. 🙂
I love the fact that you were able to have them feed off from your hand, Beth! That’s truly amazing! Beth, you wouldn’t happen to be the same Beth, that owns this picture do you?
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/564546_10200166735750493_840170475_n.jpg
No, thats not my picture, but you can click on my name and see my “kids”, and a pic of my big female walking on my hand. I wonder who that pic belongs to, where did you find it? That is one, big, crab!
Your little ones are adorable! 🙂 I don’t remember what website it was from, but this was like 7-10 years ago =\
I’ve had that picture for that long, as a means of motivation for me and my hermit crabs, so they have someone to look up to, and to grow up big and strong like that one! lol 🙂
Carol Ormes, had the same two hermit crabs for 35 years! Sadly, one of them passed last year………..now that is something to think about! She didn’t even like hermit crabs at first, but, hermits have a way of stealing your heart!
That they do!! 🙂 *looks at his little hermits * . . . *SWOOON*
Marie Davis actually sounds familiar… now that I think about it.
She is Marie “Ladybug”. I have not seen any posts from her since this new website has been up. Meanwhile, I am just waiting for my big girl and medium sized crabs to come up from their molts. I do have a teeny little guy to hang out with, although he doesn’t seem to “love” being held. He does pinch a few times, doesn’t really hurt, he is too small to be able to pinch hard. Yesterday he only pinched me once while walking on my hand so he is getting used to me. Small children had him before me, and maybe they were a little rough with him. He does “love” me when I put plain chicken wings in his fresh food dish! He cannot get enough chicken, or mineral supplement and organic soil with worm castings. (From THE HERMIT CRAB PATCH) The things they eat……..
That store has soooo many different kinds of food, I bought my crabs at least 12 different kinds, and they go NUTS for it! Its really good for them too! Look up The Hermit Crab Patch. If you haven’t already!
Oh yes, I love Hermit Crab Patch’s food selection! I need to order me some more within the next month or so 😀
Hmm… if Marie is Ladybug, then I doubt it’s her… I’ve seen her being active before the forum changed its look, but you’re right…I haven’t seen her again since then. I hope all is well with her and her hermits though. 🙂
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