OUCHY

[soillinoishermie]

Hello all, I'm new to crabbies but I've already become addicted (I have a ten gal. with two meds-Patrick and Nemo- one jumbo-James Bond- and one micro-meatloaf- all PPs)and have spent alot of money trying to get my 10 gal to the best conditions for my hermies. I havn't had my four crabs long (four days about) and I decided to take out James Bond for a little excercise. It was about 4pm and I thought he wouldn't mind a little early excercise and I gently placed him in my palm and awaited his appearence.

after a few minutes he suddenly latches onto my hand with his big claw where I(despite the incredible pain James Bond was inflicting) kept my cool and first verbally tried to corce him to let go(of course that didn't work) and I tried the warm water trick, BAD MOVE. he began squeezing harder. About that time my mom walks into my room to see me (a 5'9 stocky boy) on his knees trying to get one of my favorite crabbies to let go of my hand. James bond finally felt mercifull and decided to free me, but I know now to use gloves when handeling him until he knows me better. In the end, he drew blood, put two nice holes in my hand, and scared the heck out of me lol Now I only wonder why I didn't pick up meatloaf instead lol

[iluvhermies]

LOL I know it is not funny however I love the way you explained it, that was priceless. Welcome to the addicting world of hermies. All you need to remember when holding the hermies is to keep your hand tight and flat.

[soillinoishermie]

lol lesson learned. they are currently making quiet a racket amongst themselves. they sometimes wake me up during the night due to the noise. I feel like a new mother, constantly awaking and checking the temp. and humidity. but all in all they are very wonderful little creatures, even when they decide to be crabby.

[iluvhermies]

LOL Yes they can be very noisy

[Grammarcia]

I got bitten by one of my crabs 4 times, each drawing blood. So I wore a sock on my hand until he was comfortable with me.

Whenever I go crab shopping now, I bring my trusty sock with me. Not only do I not get bitten, but it makes me feel a lot more comfortable and maybe I'm sending out good 'karma' to the crabs.

You said in your posting that you have a ten gallon tank with two mediums and a jumbo. I never had a jumbo, for my own reasons, but I understand that a jumbo can't be comfortable in a 10 gallon. And in addition you have two mediums. It would be a good idea IMO to try to find others who have jumbos and what they know about having a jumbo in a 10 g.

You sound like a good hermie parent , so I wish you the best for you and your little ones.

[Wai]

I agree with Grammarcia. You'd need at least a 20 gallon to satisfy the lil' big guys. Also, you would need more substrate. How deep is your substrate? It needs to be able to cover your jumbo when fully buried, plus an extra two or three inches deep.

Besides, having more room means you can put more toys in. Twice the fun.

[iluvhermies]

I have jumbos and I think as long as all you have are the 3 in there they would be ok. However when you decide to add more hermies you should get a bigger tank.

[Jaci]

I know how you feel. One of my jumbos latched himself onto my hand too. He got a hold of the skin between my middle and ring finger. That hurt so bad, he too drew blood. He decided to grip on with both claws and that little one is sharp. I don't remember what I did to get him off. I think I constantly spritzed him and made my palm as flat as I could so he couldn't get more skin. lol

[Mim]

Hi All,
Just wondering what the best way to go with handeling crabs is?? I have just been given 2 for my birthday.. One of them seems fine with being handled... The other latched onto my finger tip & would not let go!!! I still have a bruise!!! LOL

Any advice would be great!!

Mim

[Mim]

Did I mention my finger STILL has a mark from where I was bitten??? Lol... Glad I know what I'm doing now!!