is a pet at work.
We have two hermit crabs here at work.
We got one nearly a year ago and somehow I became the only one taking care of him.
When I was out for 10 days recently, the suckers I work with forgot to feed and water him.
When I returned, he was lifeless. I had just lost my nephew and when I asked if anyone had taken care of him while I was gone, they all became frightened that I would have a meltdown.
If I hadn't been concerned about the hermit crab, I would have found this situation humorous.
These people who didn't give a shit about him while I was gone were suddenly offering to donate their organs to save him.
He wasn't dying, however, he was molting.
Apparently, I didn't read the directions well because I was unaware that crabs molted.
When I saw his exoskeleton laying next to what I thought was an empty shell, I nearly flipped until I looked inside the shell and saw new pink little pinchers.
Now, I was emotionally invested in this freaking crab. I decided he needed a friend so I went shopping for another hermit crab. This time I got a HUGE guy in a big pink shell.
I had also read that when hermit crabs molt, they usually grow bigger and will possibly need a bigger shell. So I bought our little guy a new, larger shell.
I introduced the big guy to the little guy and they became acquainted by totally ignoring each other for days.
I then put in the larger shell for the little guy to move in to.
The next day, big guy had crammed his fat ass into little guys smaller shell.
Now, little guy is stuck in his tiny shell with only the humongous shell as another housing option.
I think big guy is a bully.
Oh by the way, we've named them Waldo (little guy) and Sneetch (big guy).
Who knew hermit crabs were so entertaining?
Stay tuned for more As the Shell Turns.
Posted by De at April 5, 2005 02:29 PMOr even "As the Shell Cracks!" LOL Just kidding. Where did you get the name Sneetch?
Posted by: Lon at April 5, 2005 08:53 PMDoes Sneetch have a star on his belly?
Posted by: Jim at April 6, 2005 08:02 AMLon, we got the name from the book by Dr. Seuss called The Sneetches.
Jimmah, you're too good! It's quite obvious you have many children. ;)
He doesn't have a star on his belly but I might paint one on his shell if he ever decides on one!
The Sneetches book rocks. That guy with the star machine has been my hero since I was 6. I've been looking for a gaggle of sneetches ever since.
Posted by: Jim at April 6, 2005 02:17 PMYour story reminds me of me. We had a big wind storm and I went outside and this little hummingbird was trying to hide inside my fence and I scared it and it flew up and the wind just whipped it away. I was so upset I bought a hummingbird feeder and now I see this little guy every day. He has a florescent red dot on his throat so I call him Cut Throat. Cute, bye
Posted by: wendikin at April 13, 2005 05:51 AMWow that really is a useful list. I know what I want to do but I can see it being useful for others. Loved it! .free software download
Posted by: free download at April 19, 2010 03:19 AM