Why do hermies do this and how?

Questions about the body parts of a hermit crab.
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Thedrawingclaw
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Why do hermies do this and how?

Post by Thedrawingclaw »

Okay, so a few nights ago I took my shyest hermit crab out for some exercise, and to continue training it to get the feel of human flesh. So anyways, when he finally came out of hiding in his shell, he climbed up on my wrist and sat there. A few seconds later, he did the weirdest thing. He took his left eyestalk, moved it down, and rubbed it against the other eyestalk in an upward motion. Then, he stopped, looked around, and moved up my arm, and didn't do it again.
It kind of freaked me out, so I'd really like to know what he was doing, why, and how?
Meet my [hermie] family:
Scuttles, Crabzilla, Shelldon, Curlicue, Kujo, and Gigantor
Proud owner of these 6 beautiful PP hermit crabs
R.I.P. Kujo
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Wai
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Re: Why do hermies do this and how?

Post by Wai »

He was probably just cleaning his eyes, nothing to worry about.
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CrabbyJo
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Re: Why do hermies do this and how?

Post by CrabbyJo »

I agree with Wai. you will see them do some very odd cleaning behaviors. :) The neatest is when a crab is cleaning his shell and you can see the very hind legs working to push poo out of the shell. It's very interesting!
6 hermit crabs - 3 PPs and 3 Equadorians
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