My biggest crab, Clawde, had moulted last week, and ever since then he's been stretching and checking out the new shells I put in the tank. Last weekend I went to the pet shop and got a couple bigger shells, and put one of those in.
Came home tonight, and here he changed into the newest big shell. It looked a bit odd to see his old shell all empty in one corner, but then there he was proudly strutting around, getting used to his new shell "house".
He tried to get the other big crab to check out his new shell but Jamie didn't want anything to do with it. Jamie is dug into a corner and I think he may moult next.
For those of you who have seen Clawde on the crab-cam, he was the biggest one with the brown and white striped shell. The one he chose is a brownish caramel swirl.
My big boy just got a little bigger. *awww*
My biggest crab, Clawde, is having a busy evening. He pushed the crab house around for awhile, tried to climb on top of it, and investigated all the empty shells. Then he toddled off to the food dish and gorged on a grape. Then it was straight into the water dish for a drink and a bath.
He keeps turning around to face me. "See me, mom? See all the stuff I do?"
Since he moulted he's a lot more active. Now he's over in the corner digging a little hole to curl up in.
COMMENTS
This made me laugh...I had no idea that crabs were that active! LOL!
(His name 'Clawde' is a blast too)!
Oh hell yeah. They are really active later on when I'm asleep. I hear "clunk clunk" sometimes at night and when I wake up, the crab tank furniture is moved around, upside down, food everywhere...they have a good time.
The other five are : Gordon, Jamie, Delia, Gary and Antony.
My two big crabs are trying to decide whether to go after the luscious red grape I put in their food dish...or continue the ongoing struggle for title of "King of the Corner".
If one goes for the grape..the other one gets control of the corner. But...then they miss out on the grape.
Right now it's a stand off. They are blocking each other from getting to the corner OR the grape.
The little ones might get the grape AND the corner.
My biggest crab, Clawde, was acting kind of grumpy for the last few days. Stayed in his corner and didn't move around much. I wondered what was the matter with him, and when I came home today I found out.
While I was away, he moulted..shed his entire exoskeleton. It was lying in a heap next to him, and he is all pink and soft now like a baby. He has to be kept quiet while his new "skin" hardens, and he may eat his old skeleton meantime as it is mostly calcium which is good for crabs.
He had been stretching for some days previous to this, crabs do that sometimes, they come almost all the way out of their shell and just stretch. Sometimes he likes having his claws stroked when he stretches. Now I know he was just getting prepared for the big moult.
I moved the little crabs away so they wouldn't bother him. Two went to another corner, but two snuggled right back up, keeping the big guy warm.
For those who have viewed the crab-cam, Clawde is the big one with the brown and white streaked shell. He should be back to his old self in a few days..then he will start looking for a new, bigger shell!
COMMENTS
Always fascinating how nature works huh
Now I'm wondering if that's why I've been grumpy this past few days lol
Hehe cute. Those guys work so hard.
COMMENTS
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MyWorldYourDream
01:25 Jul 29 2009
Awww....
Are you going to post a picture of him in his new shell? ^_^
XipeToltec
01:30 Jul 29 2009
Yeah! Let's see a picture.
CarnelianMyst
01:30 Jul 29 2009
Sowwy, I don't have a camera. But if you are on yahoo, message me here and I will let you see the crab-cam!
Morrigon
02:09 Jul 29 2009
Crab Cam Rocks!