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Land
hermit crabs have become popular as pets because their natural activities
-- climbing, burrowing in the sand, jumping and falling from perches,
bathing, eating and drinking -- make them enjoyable to watch. They
are especially suited for children's pets because they do not require
a great deal of care. This aspect also makes them suitable for the
elderly or physically challenged people who might find higher maintenance
pets too demanding. Another strong point in their favor is that
they are clean and odorless.
These
little guys are not really "hermits". In fact, they are
very social and like to be around their own kind. In the wild, they
live on beaches in packs of up to 100 crabs. So, don't buy just
one. A small pack of 3 to a terrarium full is preferred.
The
hermit crabs' basic needs are:
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A "crabitat"
- 10-gallon or larger aquarium. They need lots of room to
roam and for food, water dishes, extra shells, climbing toys,
etc.
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Constant
temperature of 70 to 78 degrees -- You'll need a bottom-of-the
tank heater and a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Hermit crabs are tropical animals.
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Relative
humidity of 70% -- Hermit crabs breathe through gills and
will suffocate if the gills are allowed to dry out. You'll
need a glass lid for your tank to hold in the humidity, and
you'll need a humidity gauge. Some recommend misting the inside
of the tank occasionally to maintain humidity. Too much humidity,
on the other hand, is not good for the crabs and can cause
unwanted bacteria to grow in the habitat so monitoring is
a must.
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Food -
Use a specially-formulated commercial food to meet your pets'
nutritional requirements
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Water for
drinking and bathing - Use dechlorinated water or spring water
for both. Use non-metallic, shallow containers. Hermit crabs
love to crawl into the water, shell and all. Specially made
water bowl sponges will keep your pets safe from drowning.
Change water and clean bowls daily.
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A "crabitat"
substrate - Use aquarium sand or aquarium polished gravel.
These substrates are pre-washed and/or sterilized and help
you establish a "healthy" environment from the very
start. Choose a substrate that's easy to clean.
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Shells
and toys - Hermit crabs change shells as they grow and enjoy
climbing all over and hiding in almost anything.
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There are excellent books and Internet websites with more information
about hermit crabs as pets. Several Feeders Supply stores have land
hermit crabs for sale and trained staff to provide more advice about
their care. All Feeders Supply stores carry the supplies you'll
need to care for your special pet.
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