Hermit Crab Types
Did you know that there are more than five hundred different species of hermit crabs? Of these, less than ten are commonly kept as pets. These small crustaceans are known for being sociable and easy to care for. As pets, hermit crabs will rarely pinch their owners if they are cared for properly. Their wild counterparts, on the other hand, often make unfriendly pets.
In general, there are two main hermit crab types, the land hermit crab and the marine hermit crab. Most crabs kept as pets are land crabs, which have adapted to living on beaches and only return to the ocean to lay their eggs. All of the species listed below are considered land hermit crabs. Another distinguishing factor that can help hermit crab aficionados tell them apart is their color. Hermit crabs come in a surprisingly wide range of colors, from red and orange to dark purple, brown, and gray. The most popular hermit crab types kept as pets include:
The ‘purple crab,’ or Coenobita brevimanus. A relatively large species of hermit crab, it is found on the western coasts facing the Pacific Ocean. Known for the purplish or dark brown color of its exoskeleton and blue-green eyes, this unique coloration makes it a favorite among hermit crab owners.
The Coenobita clypeatus is commonly known as the Caribbean hermit crab because it is found on Caribean beaches and in Florida. Among the most common species in the wild, this hermit crab is also known as a tree crab, pincher crab, and soldier crab, and can live 20 to 30 years in captivity. Caribbean hermit crabs often have a large purple claw. It is the most common species kept as a pet.
The Ecuadorian or Pacific hermit crab, officially known as the Coenobita compressus, is among the smallest types of hermit crab kept as a pet. This popular species can be dark gray, yellow, or orange in color. They only grow to be about a centimeter long. Though they are tiny, they can move surprisingly quickly. Coupled with their small size, there is a more significant chance of these crabs escaping their cage if it does not have a secure lid.
The strawberry hermit crab, or coenobita perlatus, has earned its name because of the red color of its body, which often has small white spots that make it look like a strawberry. The baby crabs have a paler color, developing a darker shade over time. Like the Caribbean hermit crab, these can live for a long time with proper care. As pets, they are less common than other hermit crabs on this list, although they can be found in Australia and in the United States.
The Coenobita rugosus is found in Australia and the southwestern Pacific, as well as in Africa. When this crab feels threatened, it will respond by tapping or clicking its front claw on its shell, producing a chirping noise. The diet of the coenobita rugosus influences its color, which can be white, pink, blue, green, tan, or brown.
Finally, the boxer crab, or Paguristes pugil, is known for its unique appearance, which is similar to that of a snail. While popular among hermit crab aficionados, this crab is not as widely found in pet stores as some of the other hermit crab types on this list.
Hermit Crab Adaptations
Unlike most other crustaceans, adult hermit crabs live their lives on land, rather than in the ocean. This fact has led to a variety of hermit crab adaptations making the crab ideally suited to its open-air environment. First, their gills have developed over time so that they can breathe in moist air. In captivity, hermit crab owners must provide their crabs with a humid environment so that they are able to breathe. Still, the hermit crab has not completely adapted to living away from the shore. At humidity levels under 70 percent, such as that found inside the typical home, the gills dry up and are unable to take in oxygen.
Although baby hermit crabs are born in the water, by the time they become adults they are completely adapted to life on land. In fact, they cannot survive if submerged in water for long periods of time, despite having been born in the ocean. As the babies grow, they lose the ability to breathe underwater. Their modified gills are no longer able to take in oxygen from liquid water, even though they need moisture in the air. As a hermit crab owner, it’s important to consider this adaptation when planning your pet hermit crab’s habitat. In water dishes that are too deep, your hermit crab may fall in and even drown. However, in environments that are too dry the crab becomes unable to breathe.
In contrast to other crustaceans, such as lobsters and crabs, the hermit crab’s shell is not his own. In fact, the crab itself has a relatively soft body and exoskeleton. If left unprotected, this small creature would easily fall prey to a variety of predators, from larger crabs to seagulls. As a result, the hermit crab has learned to quickly inhabit the discarded shell of another animal. In the wild, baby hermit crabs seek out the shells of sea snails, although they’ve also been found wearing everything from a plastic bottle cap to an airline liquor bottle. In order to carry this shell on his back, the hermit crab has evolved to have very strong back legs, which clasp onto the inside of the shell so that it will stay on as the crab crawls. This hermit crab adaptation has enabled the crab to protect its body from predators who would otherwise be able to eat it.
Another one of the hermit crab adaptations to life on land comes in the form of a nocturnal lifestyle. Because most of the crab’s natural predators are most active during the day, crabs tend to hide during these hours. At night, they are at their most active, when the chance of being spotted by a predator is lower. Even in captivity, you will notice increased activity from your hermit crab at night. During the day, he will hide in a clay flower pot, a coconut shell, driftwood, or anything else you put in his cage.
Hermit crabs are fascinating creatures to watch, especially if you consider how well adapted they are to life on land. The key to caring for them correctly is understanding their natural environment and how they live.
Hermit Crab Mites
Hermit crab mites are a tiny parasite, similar to fleas on cats. Although tiny, untreated mites can cause a great deal of unnecessary stress and damage for your crab. Over a period of time, mites may even kill your hermit crab or cause him to lose a leg. Luckily, this situation is relatively easy to control through proper cleaning of the affected hermit crab and his enclosure.
Mites are nearly microscopic, so you may not be able to see them even if you look closely. Mites attach themselves to the crabs, where you might see small tan and black flecks. If you think your crab has mites, do not use a commercial mite spray on your hermit crab. Because of the crab’s small size, it can cause serious health problems. Instead, bathe him immediately. Most of the mites will be killed by the water. Thoroughly wash him several times to eliminate the mites. It is especially important to wash the inside of the shell, where many of the mites will be hiding.
Mites don’t just live on the crab itself, but also in the hermit crab’s environment. If you have a mite problem, the most effective way to prevent a recurrence is to replace the substrate. At the very minimum, boil it to sterilize it. If you use sand in the tank, it will need to be baked until completely dry. You’ll also need to boil the tank accessories, such as the food and water dishes, to kill the mites. Before replacing the contents of the aquarium, be sure to clean the cage by wiping the sides and bottom with a wet cloth.
There are also a few ways to prevent the occurrence of hermit crabs mites in the first place, or to keep mites from coming back after you’ve already dealt with the problem once. The first step is to sterilize everything before it is placed in your crab’s habitat. This means boiling for a minimum of fifteen minutes to kill mites and anything else that may be living on the tank accessories. If you do have to deal with hermit crab mites, take the appropriate actions to get rid of them as quickly as possible, and closely monitor your crab and his environment for a possible recurrence in the following weeks.
Perhaps just as importantly for preventing hermit crab mites, always quarantine a new hermit crab before adding him to an existing group of crabs. Occasionally, the crabs you purchase may already be carrying mites, and you don’t want to spread the parasite to the rest of your pets. Within a few weeks, you should be able to tell if your new pet has mites or not. If he does, you’ll want to treat the problem before introducing him to the group.
Proper hermit crab care, including keeping the tank clean and giving your hermit crab a bath every few weeks, is also essential for preventing mites. Mites are an unfortunate part of owning hermit crabs, but they can be prevented by following proper care guidelines for your hermit crab. With the proper care, your crab can avoid mites and live a long, healthy life.
Hermit Crabs Predators
Many hermit crab owners find it much easier to provide an appropriate environment for their hermit crabs once they understand the lifestyle of hermit crabs in the wild. In the wild, hermit crabs live in tropical areas like the Caribbean. This factor influences the setup of their habitat, as it is necessary to provide the appropriate humidity and temperature levels.
It is also useful to understand how the hermit crab copes with natural predators. Hermit crabs are born in the water without a shell. As soon as they can, they seek out a discarded shell from another animal, often taking on the shell of a sea snail. This shell is carried on the hermit crab’s back and held on with its hind legs. Among other purposes, it serves to provide protection against hermit crabs predators. The hermit crab’s exoskeleton and body are surprisingly soft, and would be in great danger were it not for their borrowed shell.
In the wild, this shell protects the hermit crab from a wide range of predators. The hermit crab’s size makes it relatively low on the food chain. Hermit crabs are found near the ocean in tropic regions, where they may fall prey to larger species of crabs, seagulls, fish, cane toads, and nearly any other creature that finds it on the beach. Its hard shell, however, protects it from many animals that are incapable of cracking the shell.
Even in captivity, your crab has a desire to protect himself from harm by carrying a shell on his back. As he grows larger, he will need to move into a bigger shell, which you as a responsible crab owner must provide. Don’t be surprised if your crab won’t come out of his shell while you’re holding him, especially for the first few months. After all, you are much larger in size than anything he’s run into, and he will view you as a potentially dangerous predator until becoming accustomed to your presence.
Hermit crabs in captivity can still fall prey to predators. Some of the hermit crabs predators that are often overlooked by pet owners is their own children or other family pets, but you can minimize the risk by providing a lid that securely attaches to your tank. Hermit crabs are noted escape artists; once a crab has escaped from the cage, he can fall victim to almost anything, making it crucial to protect your pet crab from such dangers.
The fact that the hermit crab has so many natural predators affects its life in captivity in other ways, too. Over time, hermit crabs have become nocturnal, in part as a way to avoid predators that are active during the daytime. For this reason, you’ll notice increased activity from your crab after the lights go out. If you want to watch your crab after dark, you can purchase special lights that won’t interrupt his natural rhythm.
Many hermit crab owners are curious about the natural way of life of these crustaceans, which can be fascinating. By understanding your pet’s natural instincts, you can make him feel more at home, helping him lead a long and happy life.
Hermit Crab Cost
More and more people are realizing that hermit crabs can make for the perfect pets. In addition to being personable and fun to watch, hermit crabs are inexpensive to purchase, with an easy-to-maintain habitat. Many people mistakenly believe that, due to their small size and inexpensive cost, hermit crabs will only live for a few years, like mice and other comparably-sized pets. In reality, hermit crabs in captivity can live for twenty years or even longer in the right environment, which is surprisingly inexpensive to provide.
The hermit crab habitat is easy to set up. A single crab can be kept in a ten gallon aquarium with a screen lid. Hermit crabs are even more economical if you plan to keep a group of them, because they can all live in the same 30 to 40 gallon tank. The materials needed to furnish their habitat, such as sand or coconut fiber bedding, food and water dishes, and a heat lamp, can be found in any pet store, since they are used for many other pets as well as for hermit crabs. Special hermit crab supplies include a dechlorinator to remove chlorine from the water, and a few shells to move into as your crab grows. Neither of these should cost more than a few dollars, though.
Because the supplies are the same for one crab as for a community of hermit crabs, and it can be a lot of fun to watch them interact, many hermit crab owners opt for a group habitat. In fact, it’s not unusual for people to keep eight or ten crabs in the same aquarium. Other than the larger aquarium, caring for more than one hermit crab isn’t any more expensive than keeping one crab. The full setup, including the aquarium and all of the supplies, usually costs well under a hundred dollars. Few other pets can be set up as inexpensively as a hermit crab.
Once you get past the expense of the tank and the necessary accessories, the cost of keeping hermit crabs is actually quite small. As far as food, the hermit crab can eat many of the same foods you yourself eat, especially fruits and vegetables. Because they are so small, they don’t require much food. Popular foods for hermit crabs include bananas, grapes, applies, carrots, lettuce, spinach, plain popcorn, and peanut butter. You might even have all of your new pet’s favorite foods in your kitchen right now. There are hermit crab foods that can be purchased at a pet store, but those looking to minimize the costs of their new pet often feed healthy foods that they would eat themselves.
When compared to the costs of raising other animals, hermit crab costs become even more insignificant. You don’t have to buy special pet food or lots of expensive toys and supplies, and your pet hermit crab won’t need to visit the vet for a checkup and vaccinations. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy to care for pet, check out hermit crabs.
Hermit Crabs Habitat
When it comes to hermit crabs, one of the most critical things you can do to ensure the health and wellness of your pet is setting up the right hermit crabs habitat or should we say hermit crabitat. Many pet stores offer small plastic “starter tanks.” Although they are sold for hermit crabs habitat, in reality they are much too small for full-time use. Hermit crabs enjoy exploring their environment, and need a larger home.
The appropriate size of the hermit crabs habitat depends on whether you plan to keep one or multiple crabs. Hermit crabs are surprisingly social; many crab owners keep a community of crabs in the same habitat. For a single hermit crab, start with a ten gallon aquarium as a habitat. A group of crabs need a habitat of 30 to 40 gallons, which will allow them plenty of room to hide, crawl, rest, and eat. Whichever size you choose, a screen cover with a secure latch will keep them from being harmed by children and pets while also preventing them from escaping.
Setting up a hermit crab crabitat, whether you have one crab or a group of them is fairly simple. The first step is to line the bottom of the tank with three to four inches of substrate. Moist sand and coconut fiber bedding are the most popular choices. Make sure there’s enough in the bottom of the tank that your crabs can dig and burrow.
Next, you’ll need to make sure you can keep the tank at the right temperature and humidity levels to mimic the crab’s natural environment. Hermit crabs need a warm, moist environment in order to thrive. The tank must be heated to 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You may need a heat lamp to keep the tank at the appropriate temperature, and a thermometer to monitor it. The humidity requirements for a hermit crab are between 70 and 80 percent, which can be easily measured with a hygrometer. High humidity is necessary for your pet hermit crab to be able to breathe. To increase the humidity, frequently mist the cage with a spray bottle, and keep the crab’s water dishes full at all times to increase evaporation.
Speaking of water, your hermit crab will need two separate water dishes. One, with salt water, is for bathing, while the other contains fresh water for drinking. You’ll need a total of three shallow dishes for the water and for food. Other accessories which are necessary for a hermit crabs habitat include climbing toys, rocks, driftwood, and other tank decorations. Hermit crabs love to climb, hide, and explore their environment, and will get bored if the only things in their habitat are food and water dishes. Finally, the last essential in your hermit crabitat is a selection of shells to move into as your crab outgrows its existing shell.
Even though these little guys are small and inexpensive pets, hermit crabs can live for 20 years or more in the right environment. When treated properly and kept in the right enclosure, with optimum humidity and temperature levels, your hermit crab can live a long and healthy life in your home.
Hermit Crab Humidity
Hermit crabs are a very popular pet because they are personable, yet easy to care for. Still, there are a few habitat requirements that must not be overlooked when setting up the environment for your hermit crab. In order to maintain their health, hermit crabs must live in a habitat that is set up to maintain the proper humidity levels.
In the wild, hermit crabs are accustomed to humidity of 70 to 80%. Even though they don’t live in the water, they do need a very moist environment. In fact, any lower than 70 percent and they will have difficulty breathing, because their gills need moist air. The average home, however, has an indoor humidity level much lower than 70 percent. Sustained exposure to this environment can have serious health consequences for your crab.
Luckily, there are a few simple methods you can use to increase the humidity of the cage. The key to increasing humidity is to keep as much moisture in the cage as possible. First off, use a glass aquarium, rather than an open-sided cage, because the solid sides will keep in moisture. Second, keep the water dishes full at all times. Your hermit crabs will require two dishes of water; salt water for bathing, and fresh water for drinking. Both will evaporate over time and therefore increase the humidity level in the tank. Additionally, adding a natural sea sponge to each dish can increase evaporation to create a more humid environment.
Whenever you add food to the tank or refill their water, make it a habit to mist the tank using a spray bottle. Doing so will increase the water content in the air. Remember to always use fresh, dechlorinated water with your hermit crab. Another way to increase the humidity is to moisten the sand or gravel at the bottom of the habitat so that the water can evaporate over time.
Maintaining the proper temperature can also affect the humidity level in the habitat. Hermit crabs thrive at temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a heat lamp, if necessary, to bring the cage to the optimum temperature. Use a thermometer to ensure that the tank is neither too hot nor too cool. In a cold environment, you may notice decreased activity in your hermit crabs. An environment that is too hot can also cause damage to your crabs. Crabs that are overheated may develop a musty smell or brown liquid discharge, and may spend all their time hiding in any shade they can find. In addition, too-high temperatures often lead to lower humidity levels as all of the water evaporates out of the tank.
Once the cage is set up, attach a humidity gauge to the inside of the tank. This inexpensive device can help you determine the humidity levels so that you can add more water, if needed, to keep your crab comfortable. In order to thrive, hermit crabs need an environment that is both warm and humid to replicate the tropical climate they’re accustomed to living in.
Hermit Crab Bath
Soon after their birth, hermit crabs migrate to the beach, where they spend much of their adult life. Although adult hermit crabs can’t survive long submerged in water, they do need a bath. Many hermit crab owners overlook this step, since it does sound a little funny to think that your pet crab would need a bath. Still, your hermit crab will need a bath from time to time. Giving a hermit crab a bath every few weeks will help him clean his shell and body, and prevent mites, a common parasite in hermit crabs.
Hermit crabs can be bathed almost any time, although you should not give them a bath if they are molting or preparing to molt. Common reasons to bathe a hermit crab include the presence of mites or a dirty shell, often due to eating messy foods.
Hermit crabs should be bathed in a small bowl or mug with straight sides. You’ll need a chlorine remover, to add to the water. Tap water is chlorinated, which can harm your hermit crab’s health, even causing skin blisters. Dechlorinator drops can be found at the pet store. If at all possible, use purified water rather than regular tap water; tap water can contain other minerals that may be harmful. Fill the container about halfway with water before adding the appropriate amount of chlorine remover. The water does not need to be hot; most crabs prefer their water to be about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or lukewarm. Allow the water to sit for a few minutes to ensure that it’s safe for your crab.
Once the water is ready, take your crab out of his cage, and gently lower him into the water to clean the underside of the shell. Do not drop your crab into the water or leave him there for too long; crabs can’t breathe underwater for long periods of time, even though they do have gills.
During the bathing process, it is not important to get your crab to come out of his shell. In fact, trying to force him out can hurt him. Many hermit crab owners bathe their crabs at night, when they are more active and therefore more likely to come out of their shell, although this is not necessary. The water can still get into the shell to clean it while your crab is inside. If your crab does come out of his shell, rinse the inside of the shell to wash out any food debris or sand. When you’re done, tilt the shell to allow all of the water to run out. Don’t try to force your crab to go back into his shell when it’s not completely dry. Instead, let your crab and his shell air dry before going back in the cage.
Taking the time to give your crab a proper bath should not be overlooked. Doing so can prevent skin irritations and issues with mites, keeping your hermit crabs happy and healthy. It doesn’t take very long to do, but it is crucial to your hermit crab’s wellbeing.
Land Hermit Crab
Today, many families are realizing that hermit crabs make wonderful pets. When it comes to setting up your hermit crab tank, there is an important distinction between land hermit crabs and marine hermit crabs. Land species are used to living on land, while marine species live in the water for their entire lifespan, rarely if ever venturing onto the beach. In general, it is more common to find land hermit crabs than marine hermit crabs when looking for a pet.
The two main species of land hermit crabs kept as pets are Caribbean and Ecuadorian crabs. The Caribbean variety typically has a purple color, while Ecuadorian crabs are orange or red. Although land hermit crabs are born in the water without a shell. They soon inhabit a shell vacated by a sea snail and migrate to the land, gradually spending more and more time on dry land until they become completely terrestrial.
With proper care, a land hermit crab can live for twenty years or more. Unlike most other crustaceans, land hermit crabs spend most of their lifespan on the land. They cannot live for very long submerged in water, because their gills have adapted to breathing humid air. The environment required to keep a land hermit crab includes at least four inches of moist sand, gravel, or coconut fiber. As the hermit crab molts, or sheds his exoskeleton in order to grow larger, he will bury himself in this material. Because of their naturally warm environment in the Caribbean and in Ecuador, a land hermit crab’s tank needs to be heated to between 70 and 80 degrees.
Even though these crabs live outside of water, they still need a humid environment, at least 70% humidity. The best way to accomplish this is to spray or mist the tank at least once every day. Although they cannot live in the water, they also need plenty of fresh drinking water. Many owners of pet hermit crabs advocate keeping both saltwater and plain drinking water in the aquarium; fresh water for drinking, and salt water in which to bathe.
Land hermit crabs, which are used to climbing on trees in their natural environment, enjoy the opportunity to climb in their tank. Provide sturdy branches, rocks, or even a cork board to give your hermit crab something to explore. Land hermit crabs are very curious, and will spend many hours walking about their cages. Providing activities such as a climbing branch keeps your hermit crab from getting bored, especially if you only have one crab in the tank. These crabs are nocturnal, so the best time to watch their activities is at night. During the day, they like to hide in driftwood, coconut shells, and emptied flowerpots, as a response to their natural desire to avoid predators.
Although little in size, keeping a hermit crab is a big responsibility. With the proper care, your hermit crab will have a long and happy life. Understanding your land hermit crab’s requirements means understanding his natural environment and replicating that as closely as possible in your hermit crab’s new home.
Hermit Crab Life Span
When considering hermit crabs as pets, the question on many people’s minds is how long will they live. Because hermit crabs are so small in size, it is often assumed that they will only live a couple of years. For example, pet mice, which are several times larger than adult hermit crabs, live less than five years. Many mistakenly assume that the same is true with hermit crabs. In reality, with the proper care, including an appropriate environment and the right foods, a hermit crab can live twenty years or even longer in captivity. If you want your pet hermit crab to live for a very long time, there are a few things you can do to extend its lifespan.
While it is true that many pet hermit crabs die after a very short life span, this is more often than not due to improper care. Often, hermit crab owners keep their new crab in the small plastic enclosure in which it came from the pet store. This is far too small to serve as a permanent environment for the hermit crab, which is adventurous and loves to explore its environment.
In the wild, many hermit crabs are killed by predators. This can happen in your home, too, if you have pets or small children and the hermit crab’s cage does not have a sufficient latch. Hermit crabs are known as escape artists; if they do escape the tank, they may die from exposure, lack of food or water, or predators.
Many hermit crab owners have found that the hermit crab life span can be increased when hermit crabs are kept in groups. Despite their name, hermit crabs are actually quite social. Like people, they will get bored if kept in their cage alone with nothing to do. Keeping crabs in community groups can provide them interaction and a stimulating environment.
In addition to providing entertainment in the form of climbing surfaces and tankmates, it is absolutely crucial to keep the tank at the proper temperature and humidity levels. Persistently low temperatures or low humidity will cause serious health problems for a hermit crab. A diet that does not contain the right nutrients can cause insufficient nourishment, stopping your pet’s growth and causing an early death.
Another important factor that can influence the hermit crab life span is the shells available. Hermit crabs naturally change from shell to shell throughout their life as they molt, growing a larger exoskeleton each time. It is important for hermit crab owners to provide them with several shell options. If a hermit crab cannot find a suitable shell, it will become stressed out, which can make it prone to illness.
It is the responsibility of any pet owner to provide their pet with a clean and healthy habitat, access to food and water, and a stimulating environment. Responsible owners of pet hermit crabs can ensure that their hermit crab lives a long, healthy, and happy life, far exceeding the normal lifespan expected of most small and inexpensive pets.
Hermit Crab Supplies
Like the hermit crab itself, supplies to keep a hermit crab healthy and happy are relatively inexpensive. This is one reason why hermit crabs are becoming more and more popular as pets. In order to provide a comfortable home for your hermit crab pet, you’ll need the following hermit crab supplies:
Habitat. Your hermit crab will live in an enclosed cage. An aquarium makes the ideal hermit crab cage, as opposed to a wire cage, which will cause your pet’s home to become too dry and cold. A ten-gallon tank is ideal for a single hermit crab, while 30 to 40 gallons provides enough space for a community of crabs. Don’t forget a sturdy screened lid that will let in plenty of oxygen; hermit crabs tend to be escape artists, but they do need to be able to breathe in their cage.
Substrate. This is the material found at the bottom of the tank. Popular choices for hermit crabs include moist sand, fine gravel, or coconut fiber bedding. Hermit crabs need at least four inches of substrate, because they like to dig and tunnel.
Humidity. Hermit crabs find it difficult to breathe if the humidity level drops below 70 percent. A humidity gauge can help you monitor the humidity levels in the cage. In order to increase the humidity, you can use a spray bottle or mister, or leave a natural sponge saturated with water to evaporate in the tank.
Heat. The hermit crab habitat must be heated to between 70 and 80 degrees, because hermit crabs are accustomed to a warm environment. If your home is not warm enough to keep the cage at the right temperature, set up a lamp or heater, along with a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Food and water. In addition to water in the air, hermit crabs need water in two dishes. Dechlorinated tap water should be contained in one dish, for drinking. Salt water, in another dish, is for bathing. Always use sea salt, not table salt, to create the salt water. The water should be kept in shallow dishes; hermit crabs cannot survive submerged in water. Feed your hermit crab fresh fruits, vegetables, and other organic foods.
Toys and accessories. Hermit crabs are surprisingly adept at climbing. Provide branches, rocks, or even cork board for your pet to climb. Crabs are also curious and adventurous. Driftwood and clay flowerpots make good hiding spaces in their home. These accessories will keep your crab from getting bored as he explores his surroundings.
Shells. As your new hermit crab grows, he will molt (grow a new exoskeleton) and move to a larger shell. Provide your hermit crab with several shells to choose from, each the same size or slightly larger than the shell he’s currently wearing. Hermit crabs can be picky when it comes to moving into a new shell, so offer several options.
Although they are small, hermit crabs can live to be twenty years or more. By providing the right hermit crab supplies, you can help your crab thrive for many years.
