Care Sheet for Hermit CrabsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.12 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 07/05/2005 |
Main Category: | Non-Reptile/Amphibian |
Sub Category: | Hermit Crabs |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | AlbyandSebsDad |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Land Hermit Crabs (All Species) |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Marine Hermit Crabs |
Sexing and Characteristics: | On the stomach area of the furthest back pair of legs, females have one dot on each side. If you have a shy hermit crab that refuses to come too far out of his/her shell, it will be hard to tell his/her gender. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | DO NOT use gravel for substrate! When hermit crabs Molt, or shed their exo-skeleton so that they can grow, they need to dig. Sand or Eco-Earth are hermit crabs favorites.
As for water, ALL water MUST BE DECHLORINATED!! Hermit crabs don’t live very long (maybe a few weeks). If your crab doesn’t have a purple pincher, you must also supply a dish (that they can submerge in) of salt water. |
Lighting and UVB: | People feel differently from UTHs to Lights. Some think lights add the heat and natural feel the crabs need. Some think it makes it too hot and bright. On the other hand, putting a UTH under the water dish keeps humidity up AND keeps the tank warm, so it’s just a matter of opinion. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Purple Pinchers, the most common species are very hardy and can withstand many temperatures, but not for too long. If you want a healthy Hermit Crab no matter what the species, keep the temperature about 70-75 (If you have a Strawberry hermit crab, keep the temperature around 75-80). Keep the humidity 75-80, and try to keep it from going over 80. |
Heating and Equipment: | Hermit crabs do not neccesarily need a heater, if your house is at at least 70 degrees. |
Caging Provided: | Always put your hermit crabs in a tank! Wired cages don’t retain humidity at all. Cricket/Critter Keepers don’t retain much humidity, either. The rule of thumb is each hermit crab (unless they are micros or very small Teenys) is keep one hermit crab for every two gallons. For the tank’s lid (lids are neccesary), get an aquarium hood or glass lid (with a few holes) because these retain the most humidity. |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Give your hermit crabs a varied diet. All but two hermit crab commercial food brands contain Ethoxyquin which is SUPPOSEDLY bad for hermit crabs. From what is known, it’s basically like if they live off that, it’s like a human living off of McDonalds. Offer your hermit crabs crushed cuttle bone as well. Most organic human foods are very good for hermies as well. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Crush cuttle bone into small pieces and put it in your food. My hermit crabs prefer it over the commercial food, and eat it all. |
Maintenance: | Provide at least one hiding place and things to climb on, along with the recommended things from the above information, and you should have healthy hermit crabs. Also, you should get at least 3 hermit crabs. They get lonely, and if one’s down to molt, the other will have a buddy. |
Some Words on this Species: | These creatures are very misunderstood. Some people consider them "throwaway pets" meant for children. Everyone I know who owns hermit crabs often own many and are often at least in their 20s. People who buy these creatures for their children often take terrible care of their hermit crabs. However, with the proper care given as reccomended by this care sheet, hermit crabs can live 30+ years! Purple Pinchers can supposedly live to 70! Above all else, do NOT believe what most pet stores tell you if it is other information than this. If you do, they will probably also tell you hermit crabs have a short lifespan of only a few years. |
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