HERMIE WONT COME OUT...

strawbearedlyte · Post by **strawbearedlyte** » 26 Mar 2005, 09:01

today i went and bought two hermies they are teenie tiny like quarter sized...well one is very active and i think it might be ecuadorian the other though when my brother picked it we thought was sleeping but it is tucked really tightly into its shell and wont come out...i sprayed it with a little water to see if it was alive and it would move its claw but just a little bit..i'm worried about it...can anyone tell me what they think is wrong?

Post by **Wai** » 26 Mar 2005, 13:09

The crab is fine, he's just trying to get used to his new home.

bennynlewie · Post by **bennynlewie** » 27 Mar 2005, 06:21

ya he seems fine just a little shy since hes new

ayianna · Post by **ayianna** » 08 Apr 2005, 10:11

When you first get a hermit crab, if it has not been properly socialized, it will be afraid. And rightfully so, we're thousands, probably millions of times bigger than them! Spraying a reluctant crab is only going to frighten them more. Most crabs have never been sprayed or misted before except by the light misting action of the sea. Very different to a bottle.

I got a crab that I thought was dead at the pet shop because for 20 minutes, it wouldn't move...on the table, on my hand, or otherwise. After it had been on the table for a long time, I saw it move, out of the corner of my eye and was so thrilled that it wasn't dead (Rugosis are so hard to find here!) that I bought it on the spot. In some cases, just putting the crab on a neutral surface, neither in sand where it's comfy, nor your hand where it's at unease will allow it the confidence and curiousity to start moving around.

Hannah · Post by **Hannah** » 08 Apr 2005, 11:46

The hermie is just a little shy and getting used to a new home. Hermits have very different personalities, just like us, ranging from so outgoing it's hard to get them to go in their shell, to like the crab you are describing. Just hold him in your hand for a while, don't mess with him or anything and he will eventually come out. I remember getting a new crab from Petsmart and he was really shy, but I just held him and he eventually came out, not he is outgoing enough to peek out and not snap back in every time I move. Patience will pay off.