How To House a Hermit Crab
Posted By: Stacyh;
Category: Pets;
November 24, 2008
Author StacyH;
The basics for housing a purple-pincer crab or land hermit crab. The purple-pincer crab is one of two commonly sold species of hermit crab. It is recognizable by its large, purple pincer claw. It is a land crab and not a beach or ocean crab.
1
Purchase a 10 gallon or larger aquarium tank with a lid. A small plastic carrier is not adequate as a permanent home. A lid is needed to hold in moisture as hermit crabs need 70 to 80% humidity.
2
Supply enough substrate to allow crabs to dig and bury themselves during molting. You'll need an inch or two of clean, dry sand to cover bottom of aquarium. You can also use coconut fiber.
3
Purchase a shallow water dish for the hermit crab to drink out of and bathe in. Water provided for a hermit crab should be safe for a fish tank. It should be de-chlorinated, etc.
4
Provide an assortment of shells in different sizes for your hermit crab(s) to change into. Crabs change shells after molting and sometimes to regulate their body temperature. They also seem to do it just for fun sometimes.
5
Provide a clam shell or small dish to put food in. The crab should be able to climb into the dish.
6
Provide a clean piece of driftwood or other climbing material for exercise and recreation.
7
Get a temperature gauge and humidity gauge that will hang or stick inside the habitat. Hermit crabs need a temperature that is fairly constant in the 70's. Ideal temps are between 72 degrees Farenheit and 80 degrees F. They need humidity around 70%. Do not let them bake in a sunny window or allow their substrate to get soggy. Land hermit crabs prefer humid air but a fairly dry substrate.
8
Purchase some variety of crab food. Crabs like variety in their diet. They also like occasional fresh foods; like, corn, carrot, clean pieces of bark, fruit, etc. Crabs are omnivores and foragers. They'll eat almost anything, but they eat slowly and in small amounts, so fresh foods should be cleaned out of the habitat within a few hours up to 24 to avoid bug infestations. Crabs also need a lot of calcium and carotene.
9
Finally, purchase at least two crabs that do not vary too much in size. Crabs live in colonies and are not truly hermits. They will chirp and talk to eat other. They may also fight over shells, so make sure there are plenty.
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