What do you need or a pet hermit crab?

Answer 1

when having a pet hermit crab come great responsibility..... The are wonderful creatures.

Habitat- they should be in a cage that is about 35 cm wide which will fit about 3 hermit crabs they should be given something to climb on and they should have a hidden place but that is optional because they can hide in there shell. in the bottom of they enclosure they should have sand, sand grit which can be purchased at you local pet shop or wood shavings.

Heating- Land Hermit Crabs are tropical so they must be kept between 26C and 32C and the temperature should never be allowed to fall below 20C. As hot air rises, the most effective way of heating the aquarium is with a Heatwave Heat Mat that sticks onto the base of the aquarium. These mats emit an even heat over the base which stimulates activity. A desk lamp with a low wattage bulb may also be used. It is important that you place a thermometer in the tank to monitor the temperature.

Food- Hermit crabs will eat just about anything that you eat, but no sugary foods such as snacks ECT you should also have a bowl of food given to you by your pet shop. Although it is good for they to eat our food they also need there food to have a balance diet.

Water- hermit crabs should have 2 bowls of water 1 bowl full of normal and 1 bowl which has a special type of chemical in it so it helps the hermit crab to Molt.

Accessories- in you cage you should have at least 3- 4 spare shells ready for when they Molt. Fake plants so that they can climb on OPTIONAL.

Nature- hermit crabs are lovely and very funny. to have a loving hermit crab you should handle it a lot but the only problem is that hermit crabs are more active at night around about 5pm so it is good to handle them then.

Stress- Stress among hermit crabs can be caused by:

1. Overcrowding and bullying

2. Extremes in temperature, too hot or too cold

3. Being dropped onto hard surfaces

4. A crab kept alone

Stress can make crabs inactive and sluggish. They can also come out of their shell and walk about 'naked'. Some crabs just crawl off into the corner and will not return to their shell. This leaves them open to attack from other crabs, and they have no protection. It is not normal for these crabs to walk about without a shell on their soft body.

Cleaning- you should clean out your cage at least 1 to twice a week. change there water every day and there food 3- 4 times a week.

Enjoy your hermit crab and just a quick note the more you handle and love you crab the longer it will live for.......

ENJOY :)