Land hermit crabs

What kind of habitat do land hermit crabs live in?

A 10-gallon size tank is a decent starter home for a couple of small hermit crabs, but a larger enclosure will be necessary as your pets grow. The larger the hermit crab(s) you get the larger the overall setup needed to ensure there is enough space for all to be comfortable.

Hermit crabs are active pets, and excellent climbers. It is important to make sure your hermit crabs’ home has a secure lid to prevent escapes.

Use cage accessories such as rough rocks and branches to provide stimulating climbing exercise for your hermit crabs. Don’t forget to arrange some areas of the cage to act as hiding places. Creative arrangements of rocks or branches can provide ground cover for the crabs to hide in or under without necessarily blocking your view of your pets.

The tank should have either a sand substrate or a sand/soil mixture that can be sculpted to provide both high, medium and low areas in the terrarium. Hermit crabs often like to burrow, so make sure the substrate is deep enough to accommodate this.

Sand, rocks and branches aren't enough to keep your crabs healthy and happy. Hermit crabs are particular about the temperature and humidity in their environment.

The temperature needs to be kept stable between 22-30°C (72-85°F) and the humidity levels should be no lower then 60%. Daily misting will help to maintain the humidity in the enclosure, and both thermometer and humidity gauges in the tank can be used to monitor the environmental conditions for your pet. Land hermit crabs have modified, stiffened gills which allow them to breathe air. The air a hermit crab breathes has to be humid or the gills will dry out and not function properly.

All animals need water, and hermit crabs are no exception. Water can be offered in a shallow dish with the water no deeper than 2-3cm. It is best to give them salt water or conditioned water that has stood a couple of days (or been boiled) to remove the chlorine. Tap water that has not been conditioned is acidic and can damage their gills. Remember, your hermit crabs must be able to get in and out of the dish easily.

Hermit crabs periodically molt out of their old exoskeleton in order to grow. It is necessary to always provide your crab with enough suitable empty shells of various sizes so that it can choose an appropriate one after it molts. Keep several empty shells in the enclosure to provide your pets with the option of doing some home renovations of their own!

What do land hermit crabs eat?

Hermit crabs are omnivores which means they eat both plant and animal materials.

It is important to feed your crabs a varied diet. Commercial foods specially formulated for land hermit crabs can provide them important nutrients, like calcium, and offering a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable alternatives will help maintain a healthy balance.

Do not overfeed your hermit crabs, and remove any uneaten food that may spoil.

Hermit crabs enjoy trying different foods, and occasional treats can include tropical fruits such as mangos, coconuts and papayas.

How much does it cost to own a land hermit crab?

Land hermit crabs can cost between $13-20 each and the habitat set-up can cost up to $200.

A weekly grocery bill for 2-3 land hermits crabs will average approximately $5-10.

The main costs are those of the housing unit including the heating components, substrate, gauges, water dish, and food bowl.

How long do land hermit crabs live?

On average, land hermit crabs live approximately 10 years, but can live much longer. Some hermit crabs have survived for more than 30 years!

How does the pet trade affect the land hermit crabs?

In the past, a lack of or poorly understood knowledge on how to properly care for land hermit crabs has led to a shortened life-span for many pets. Recently there have been strides made to really understand this animal's needs and requirements in order to keep them successfully in a captive environment. Stay up-to-date with your research on caring for hermit crabs. The keeping of exotic pets is a constantly evolving trade and new information and techniques about caring for these animals is continuously coming into circulation.