Thursday, March 18, 2010
Recently, my age group adopted a pet crab at out science corner. Got the kids to see what a crab is like. Initially they were pretty much afraid of that crab, after a while, they kinda got used to him and will come into the room to see him every week. For me personally, I find him rather cute. Gave him a name, Sebastian. Well, clever friends will know that this name was adopted from my all time favorite cartoon, The Little Mermaid. And Sebastian was that naggy crab that follows Ariel around. Sebastian is quite a poor little crab, he only has 3 legs on one side, and 4 on the other side. I think the teacher who bought him didn't check that he has 1 leg less. Sebastian has been with us for 3 weeks and this week I volunteered to bring him home.....
It wasn't that easy as I thought to look after a crab. I had no prior experience in taking care of crabs in the past. All the crabs that came into my home alive ended up on our dinning table in less than a day's time. For Sebastian, its special. I instructed my entire household to look after him. First, I put him in this small size basin and left him alone in the living room, beside the DVD player and Cable box. Occasionally go and talk to him and look at him. About 3 hours later, when my nieces. bro and SIL came to my home for dinner, SIL then said, "hey! there's a crab among the wires!" I got a shock! Brave daddy then used his bare hands to catch him and put him back into the small size basin. We then used a basket which my ma used to soak veg to cover him. Later in the night, my dad was 'playing' with him by "challenging" him with his finger. Sebastian became fierce and put up his pincer like all ready for an attack. I knew that I had to change a new home for him as that basin is too small.
Mommy handed me a M size basin which definitely has lots of space for Sebastian to move around. Afraid that he will escape, we covered the basin with another basket. The couple of days following, he only ate the turtle pellet and nothing else. One of my teachers said that he eats cabbage. But I fed him with 3 different kinds of veg including cabbage, he ate none of them. Just on Tuesday morning, I saw that his basin is filled with dirty water as the veg has dissolved, I decided to change the water for him before I leave for work. With my bare hand, I tried to take him from the back but, he slipped out my my fingers and escaped! He ran like a gan jiong spider and hid underneath the cupboard just beside the washing machine. I had to go down on all fours to get him, but Im also afraid that he will kiap me. Hence, I used a bamboo and tried to drag him out. After battling for 5 mins, I finally caught him and put him in a safe place. Didn't get to change water as Im running late for work.
That night after I got home, I attempt to change water for him again. This time, I scoop him into a container with a lid and he was safe in there while I changed the water. After I was done, I poured him back. When we cover the basket over the basin, Sebastian cant see whats outside and we can really see him too. I found a think transparent plastic and used that to cover the basin instead and left a small hole so that he could breathe. I went to bed hoping that he will be happier when he can see the outside world.
The next morning, i realized that my parents changed the cover back to the basket. Not knowing why, I headed to work after feeding. Called my daddy later in the day and he told me that Sebastian escaped from the little hole I left and found him in the corner of the toilet. I was so surprised. The hole I left open wasn't big, but he managed to squeeze out. I wondered if he hurt himself. And again, he escaped. Thats the 3rd time now. Why doesn't Sebastian stay in his own home but again and again tried to escape? I was quite sad. Maybe he doesn't like me after all :(
Decided to go to the WWW to check up a little on pet crab. I cant find the species that Sebastian belongs to online. But read up generally on pet crab. In fact, they like to hide and always want to try and climb high. I felt better knowing that, as that explains why Sebastian is always trying to reach his legs on the tip of the basin. It's his nature. Also, crabs generally cannot survive in freshwater. I need to go to the pet shop to buy salt (cannot use table salt) and add into the water so maybe he will feel more secured. Also, I plan to get a tank for him and put in some rocks. At times, crabs don't enjoy being in water all the time. So different from the Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. He sing "under the sea" all day long and love being IN the sea -__-
As for food, he basically eats anything. Bu I have come to a conclusion that Sebastian is choosy in his food intake. Despite Sebastian being so naughty and choosy, I find him rather cute. Last night again, he was trying to reach the tip of the basin while I was brushing my teeth ( I usually take away the cover when Im in the kitchen so that I can talk to him and look at him) So, I called his name and looked at him "Sebastian, stop that" You know what, almost immediately, he froze at that awkward position! The minute I look away and mind my own business, he started his quest again.............................. In fact, I was looking at him from the corner of my eye trying to see what is he up to. He moves slowly and quietly, picked up the pellets to eat and to me, he seemed like he's trying to find a perfect position to start his stunt again.
This morning, I wanted to try again and see if he really could hear me. So, I removed the cover and minded my own business. He was busy eating at first and didn't do much. Then, once again he started his stunt and quest to escape. I was drinking water and was about a meter away from him. Without looking at him directly, I said with the cup still near my mouth, "Sebastian...... Stop that....." He froze yet again!!!! He is an intelligent little thing I must say! He knows where's the place that he could climb and knows that he is doing something wrong! I was super AMAZED.....
1:53 PM
