Hermit Crab

Description: Hermit crabs are popular pets with their unique behaviors and interesting activities. These crabs make great long-lived pets! In addition to the crabs, their terrarium can be decorated with live plants or fun decorations to make a fun and interesting habitat for you and your crabs! Learn everything you need to know about keeping Hermit Crabs as pets in our complete HERMIT CRAB CARE GUIDE!

How Large Does This Pet Grow? Hermit crabs average around 2 to 3" but can grow up to 6"

Average Lifespan: Typically, 10–20 years, but more than 40 years has been documented!

Basic Diet: For detailed feeding information, check out the DIET section of our Hermit Crab Care Guide! These shell-dwellers will need a combination of pelleted food, fresh fruit & veggies, and appropriate sources of calcium & fats. Hermit crabs are sensitive to metal — make sure their food & water bowls are ceramic or another non-metal, non-porous material.

Water: Hermit Crabs are unique in that they need access to two different types of water. One bowl should have dechlorinated freshwater while the other must have saltwater. Hermit Crabs live near the ocean and regularly go into both fresh and saltwater. The bowls must be deep enough that the crabs can fully submerge their bodies, including their shells. Make sure crabs can get in and out of these bowls with ease.

Does This Pet Need a Roomate? Despite being "hermit" crabs, they live in community groups and are quite social! In the wild, hermit crabs have been known to live in colonies of 100 individual crabs! While we do not recommend getting that many, we do suggest keeping at least 3 hermit crabs together so they can be social and express some of their natural behaviors together.

Minimum Enclosure Size: House your hermit crabs in a terrarium that has 10 gallons of space for every 2–3 smaller crabs. As they molt and grow, or as you add more crabs, you will need to increase the tank size. Ultimately, for jumbo crabs, you'll need 20 gallons of space per crab. When choosing a tank, remember that you'll need to add 6" of substrate to the bottom.

Habitat Necessities: for full details, see the Hermit CRABitats section of our care guide!

• Glass or acrylic aquarium/terrarium (10 gallons of space for every 2–3 smaller crabs)
  
• Secure screen lid or hood with light
  
• Fixture and bulbs
  
• Thermometer andhygrometer
  
• Food bowl and two shallow water bowls
  
• Marine grade salt
  
• Water conditioner/dechlorinator
  
• Natural sand and coconut fiber or soil
  
• New spray bottle
  
• Wood, rocks or other décor (never use cedar or other evergreen wood as it irritates the crabs)
  
• 3–5 extra shells per hermit crab
  
• Coconut huts, caves, or artificial plants for hiding
  
• Prepared hermit crab food & cuttlebone
  
• Toys and enrichment items to climb on and investigate

Safety Tips for You and Your Pet:

• It is recommended to quarantine any new pet for 30 days in a separate enclosure from existing pets to observe for illness, prevent the spread of potential diseases, and to limit stress while your pet acclimates to their new home.
  
• It is recommended for all new pets to see a veterinarian within 14 days of purchase to establish care and discuss a health and wellness plan.
  
• ALL ANIMALS can potentially carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases contagious to humans. Thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after contact with any pet or its habitat. Adults should assist children with hand washing after contact with a pet or its enclosure. Use caution when handling pets, and remember they may bite or scratch, especially when stressed.

When to Contact A Veterinarian: In addition to regularly scheduled appointments, contact your veterinarian if you notice the following signs:

• Decreased appetite or activity
  
• Staying outside of their shell
  
• Excessive molting
  
• Lost claws or limbs
  
• Strong odor from inside the shell

If you observe any of these symptoms, we recommend visiting the "Find a Fish Vet" tool at fishvets.org or wavma.org for help finding a qualified veterinarian in your area.

Vet Assured: All pets purchased at PetSmart are raised under our exclusive Vet Assured program and come with a 14-day satisfaction guarantee. Vet Assured is a program designed by PetSmart veterinarians to improve the health and well-being of our pets. The program sets standards for the care of our pets by our live animal partners and store associates and establishes strict standards for the monitoring and prevention of common illnesses found in pets. PetSmart makes a significant investment in the care of our pets and it is apparent in the quality and comfort of the pets in our stores. However, if your pet becomes ill during this initial 14-day period, or if you're not satisfied with your pet for any reason, PetSmart will gladly replace the pet or refund the purchase price. Please keep your sales receipt and return the pet to the store where it was purchased if needed.