When hermies come WAY out of their shell...

akcskye · Post by **akcskye** » 11 Feb 2007, 16:40

Hey all...all of my hermies except Rosie and Bob (coincidentally have identical looking shells), all come WAY outside of their shells when I hold them.

Especially my straw (named Barry) you can see the top part of his "butt" at the lip of his shell when I hold him!!! Look at the picture below.

It looks like they're going to drop out or do a shell change!!! haha

What does this mean? They really like me, or are trying to get away from me? LOL

Thanks!

z06vette387 · Post by **z06vette387** » 12 Feb 2007, 08:59

First of all...VERY pretty hermie!

My hermies do that too, especially if you hold them like you are in the pic. I don't think they can fall out, I think it's just that they feel no surface under their "feet" and they are looking for somthing to grab onto. I'll hold mine like that and put a finger or two underr thair legs and they will grab right on and try to pull it towards them.

I don't know but it might be stressful to them, I would not hold them like that too often.

Any other opinions? By the way, correct me if I am wrong about the stress thing i mentioned above...thanks

akcskye · Post by **akcskye** » 12 Feb 2007, 17:47

Thanks for the compliment about Barry

In answer to your comment, I always let them walk my hands and arms...it's just that whenever I initially pick them up, they do this...so I don't know to take it as "HOORAY, it's playtime!" or "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" haha

Post by **Wai** » 12 Feb 2007, 18:40

Personally I think it's best to put your other hand under their legs when you hold them like that. They might be scared that you'll drop them or something, so that's probably why they reach out to look for something to grab onto. They won't fall out (unless they're very ill), but by providing a surface under their dangling legs will make them feel more secure and safe.

iluvhermies · Post by **iluvhermies** » 13 Feb 2007, 15:25

I agree with Matt and Wai I think they are looking for something to grab onto to feel more secure. By the way Barry is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

hermiesrokmysox · Post by **hermiesrokmysox** » 14 Feb 2007, 01:55

i agree too. I think they are just trying to excape from your hands, they wouldn't want to leave their shell, it's their protection.

akcskye · Post by **akcskye** » 14 Feb 2007, 02:46

Thanks all!

I just want to make it known that I do not hold them like this all of the time. haha

This is just how they do when I pick them up...right before holding...so I'm not being a mean crabby moma and holding them like this all the time.

Jaci · Post by **Jaci** » 19 Feb 2007, 11:12

hermies dont' like to dangle. lol. as soon as a finger goes under them they latch on and want to walk. unless your crab is apollo who decides streaking is his thing and give his mother a heart attack. -see my post called "bizaare experience" in this forum