Hermit Crab

• Experience level: Beginner
• Tank Setup: Gravel, calci-sand, or coconut bark bedding w/hide huts
• Diet: Hermit Crab Food, Fresh Vegetables
• Maximum size: 6"

Land hermit crabs are fun, fascinating little creatures that make great pets for your home or classroom. They are easy and economical to care for and their crabby antics like climbing, digging, molting and shell switching are as entertaining as they are educational.

Despite the fact that they are indeed crabs, hermit crabs are actually quite docile and can be handled by their Pet Parents. They are anything but hermits and enjoy the company of other "hermies." And they love toys! Hermit crabs love to climb on just about anything and decorating your new friend's "crabitat" will make for a fun family or class project.

Non-aggressive
These docile pets will allow themselves to be handled. They will not pinch unless they feel threatened. Hermit crabs are social and can be kept in groups.

Molters
This means they need to shed their outer skin in order to grow.

Never drop
A hermit crab's abdomen is very soft. Dropping them onto a hard surface will cause severe injuries or death.

Protection
After molting, crabs are extremely vulnerable because their bodies are soft and pliable. Isolate them from other crabs during this time.

Staple diet
Some crabs' claws are not big enough to grab on to pellet-type food. Therefore, you should feed them one teaspoon of prepared food in powdered form. If pellets are the only available option, crush them into powder.

Water containers
The right drinking water container is very important to the health of your crab. Since land hermit crabs are extremely sensitive to metal, be sure yours is a non-metallic, non-porous container. Also, be sure your container is not too deep as they like to drag themselves into the water dish and just sit. If you have both large and small crabs, place a natural sea sponge in the middle of the dish so there is something for the smaller crabs to grab on to should they stumble in and be unable to get out.

Aquarium
A good rule of thumb is one gallon of habitat space for every two crabs. Be sure there is enough room in their habitat for them to move around without constantly stepping on each other.

Décor
Provide the crabs with a hiding shelter to sleep in during the day.

Shells
Provide at least two larger extra shells of varying sizes for your crab. Do not be alarmed if your crab changes its shell as often as every two days.

More information
Visit our Hermit Crab Guide to find information on how to care for your "hermie" and the products you'll need to keep him healthy and happy.

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