Response to humans

Solider crabs, when out of their burrows, are almost comical in their varied escape responses to human presence. The reaction in response to a perceived human threat and other potential predators such as birds are as follows (Cameron, 1966):

• Burrowing

• Fright Reflex: the crab freezes still in this position, with all limbs stiff and protracted

   

• Crouching: as if curled up dead. This involves the crab lowering its eye stalks, folding its legs and chelipeds as close to its body as possible and lowering its body onto the ground.

• Interspecific threat: a more rare response to the encroachment of a human. This involves the crab simultaneous raising its chelipeds and running away from the human. It is believed this is a combination of the two behaviours of a threat display and an attempt to escape.