Stonetribe

Alright, I've decided to keep the crustacean train rolling with a double crab highlight! First up, the Hermit Crab. I'm sure you all know what a Hermit Crab is, but I'll give a brief review anyway. Hermit crabs are small crustaceans that are usually small enough to fit in your hand. They can be found all over the world par arctic regions. Marine species live in the coasts of Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Alternatively, land hermit crabs can be found in the Caribbean, Florida, Australia, and other warm places. They get the name "Hermit" because they borrow the shells of deceased gastropods to protect their soft abdomens and in a sense, live alone in them. Hermit Crabs aren't that picky though when it comes to choosing a home as long is the size is suitable. Hermit Crabs have been found living in things like hollowed rocks, empty soda cans, broken light bulbs, and even discarded shotgun shells! Anyways, the name Hermit Crab is actually pretty ironic as they are very social animals that can live in groups well up to 100 or more. Aside from the obvious benefits of living in a group, this can also make it easier for individuals to acquire a proper sized shell. You see, when a group of Hermit Crabs come across a new shell, they will often form a line, from biggest to smallest. The biggest will move into the newly found shell. Meanwhile the next biggest will move into the biggest's formal shell. They repeat this chain of home exchange until everyone has a brand new, better fitting shell. But as with most social animals, they don't always get along. If there's not enough to go around Hermit Crabs will often fight one another for the rights of a shell, and may even go so far as to gang up on an individual to forcibly pull him out. Having a properly sized shell is very important to a Hermit Crabs survival. If a shell is too small, a Hermit Crab is unable to fully retract inside. If a shell is too big, he will be unable to fully block the entrance with his big claw. Next up, we have the Horseshoe Crab. There are only four species of Horseshoe Crab in this age, found most abundant in the Delaware Bay, the Bay of Bengal, and the southwestern seas of Japan. They're pretty sizable, with the females growing up to 18-19 inches in length and the males roughly 2/3rd's of the size. They also have an impressive life span living up to and over 20 years. Now despite the name and my previous concept of a "crustacean train", Horseshoe crabs are actually more related to arachnids such as spiders and scorpions rather then crabs. What's really interesting about these guys though, as that they are considered "Living Fossils" This is said that not only because have they hardly changed over time, but that they are estimated to have been around for a whooping 450 million years as evidenced by their fossils, of the non-living variety that is. Alrighty then, there you have it folks. let me know what you guys think because I love your feedback! Now if your excuse me, I'm off to go practice Nyx Assassin in Dota 2.

I actually looked into it a bit and like swirly said, it is possible but not entirely practical. They are sold on the aquariam trade market, but they have something on a discouraging pet record. I'll link the sight I read up on it for you to check out.http://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/news_article.asp?id=2120

Mkay, fair enough. Feel free to lock the thread now.

Yeah, I thought as much. Any particular reason why?

This has been on my mind for awhile and might just be the thing I needed to get back into role playing. I'll spare you all the details, but would there be any rules against playing a walking, talking, sentient pony skeleton? Pretty much the same thing as a pony right, just minus the flesh and organs.

I had a hermit crab when I was younger, and I named him Skittles. I was also a bit weary of holding him in fear of getting pinched. I found that wearing winter gloves really helped. If he does pinch you, which he probably won't if your handling him correctly and with respect, he'll just grab the glove and not your skin. Also, I'll have a highlight up soon. For real this time.

I'll be flutty flut flut-girl thank you.

Sure, Dota 2 is a great game. It might be a little less newbie friendly then LoL though, but with a little effort, you should fit in in no time. The similaritys between the two games will help out a lot as well.

Thanks. I hope to see enjoy this thread and learn a thing or two. And don't worry, the difference between fear and dislike is an easily reckonizable one.

Apparently Dota 2 is a pretty popular game. I have only recently started playing it. It's got a decent learning curve, but I'm definitely getting better. It really helps that I have a more experienced friend coaching me. Anyone else familer with this game? Also, I bet nobody can guess my 3 favorite heroes.

Sorry guys, I haven't been doing a very good job of becoming re-active here on canterlot like I said I would. I'll get a new bug highlight up soon yeah?

Thank you swirly, I needed that.

So is that all for the Spider crab then? Your guy's feedback is what keeps me motivated to do highlights.

Hearing you say that I'm assisting someone overcome their fear of bugs as well develop an interest for them makes my day, Thanks bud. Also, regarding zoos, I don't think you'll have to travel all the way to japan to see one in person. The point of a zoo is to showcase animals from all over the world in one convenient viewing spot. Just look into the some of the zoos that are closest to you, I'll bet you can find one without traveling half way across the world. You silly person you.

Okay guys, remember back awhile back when I said something about the zoo giving me inspiration? No? Yeah me either. In any case, here's my latest bug highlight, The Japanese Giant Spider Crab! As the name implies, these guys can be found in the coasts of the far east from Tokyo Bay to Kagoshima Prefecture. With that out of the way, Let me tell you the thing about these guys. They are the largest known arthropods on this earth. Exactly how large are we talking? Have a look at this. As you can see,these things are Massive. Sporting a leg span reaching 3.8 meters (12 ft) from claw to claw and a body that can grow to a size of 16 inches, these guys can make some B horror movie giant spiders weep in shame. They also have an impressive lifespan that can chalk up to a hundred years or more. But despite their formidable size, these 10 legged bug giants are actually quite docile. Aside from the occasional small marine invertebrate, the Japanese Spider Crab is a omnivorous scavenger, eating dead and decaying animal and plant matter. This makes them greatly beneficial assets to the surrounding marine, as they keep it clean and orderly for the rest of the surrounding sea life.

Welp, if you guys think it's cool. Now, my next post in this thread will absolutely, positively, be a bug highlight. Feel free to quote me on that as much as you'd like.

Just to clarify, you do get the joke behind it, correct?

Okay guys, here's the deal. I took a glance at Rosey's vacant cage just now, and I noticed that there is a single one of her crickets still alive in there. I'm thinking I might keep the little guy. But what I want to know is if you guys think that the name "Leftovers" is too insensitive of a name or not. Also, I know I'm overdue for a bug highlight. Procrastination keeps a collar and leash around my neck, and will probably be making me learn some tricks soon.

What's your all-time ultimate video game accomplishments? Did you catch a shiny variant of your favorite pokemon? Do you hold the high score in a video game cabinet at your local arcade? Or did you just finally beat that really hard part you've been trying at like, FOREVER. Anything like that will work. The only thing I can think of right now is that I just beat the pit of 100 trials in Paper Mario the Thousand Year Door today, and on my first try too. It took me two hours or so.

Thanks, I'm glad you think so!

Thanks guys.

A ways back, I mentioned that I had a pet Dark Brown Fishing spider by the name of Rosey. Well, I regret to inform you all that she has passed away last weekend due to old age. She has proved herself to be a great pet in the year and a half she spent under my care, and I am very grateful to have had her. My only regret is that I have never bothered to take any pictures of her. RIP Rosey

I'm afraid I also did not know duskbreeze personally... I'm afraid if I say anything else, it will come out wrong. My condolences to all of her loved ones. RIP Sarah Hellens.

Oh wow, you snuck your post in as I was typing mine spatt. You don't have to make an rp to get active here on canterlot, but if you want to give it a shot, feel free to send me a pm. I'd be happy to talk about it with you. Alright then, that's enough suggestions for now. Thanks for your help guys!

Sure thing queenie. Luckily for you, I'm not feeling all that picky. Hit me up with a pm whenever your ready. Ok then, one more should do it.