Hermit crabs are often mistaken as being solitary animals due to their moniker. The hermit term actually comes from the way the crab chooses to make its home and not from any anti social behavioral problems. In the wild, the crabs live in groups and travel together in search of food.
Hermit crabs are a popular and interesting pet. They need little attention and newly developed breeds can live for quite some time in captivity. Many people looking for an interesting and easy to care for pet choose these little creatures to inhabit their world. As an added bonus, they do not cause allergies the way many pets do and they are clean and quiet.
The natural habitats of hermit crabs are either in the ocean or on oceanic beaches. Therefore, in captivity they need a home that has either a sandy or gravel covered bottom. The animals burrow into the sand for protection, especially during the molting process. The sand or gravel should also be kept at least damp since the animals are used to a humid environment. Without sufficient humidity, the crabs will quickly become dehydrated and die. A glass aquarium with just a couple of inches of sand or aquarium gravel is perfect. The tank should have a couple of containers of fresh, non-chlorinated water. Many hermit crab owners also provide a dish of salt water for the pets to enjoy. Make sure the dishes are shallow enough for the crab to get in and out of.
Make sure that the tank has sufficient air circulation also. Hermits enjoy fresh air and a tank that is sealed too tightly can quickly develop dangerous mold that can sicken the hermits.
A few plastic plants will add the hermit's natural environment. They can seek protection in these areas. A few pieces of wood or sticks will give the crab something to climb on. Just make sure that the wood doesn't reach too high. Hermits are excellent climbers and notorious escape artists.
As far as food goes, a hermit crab can eat almost anything. In the wild they are scavengers whose role it is to keep the environment clean of refuse. Many people feed their crabs chunks of leftover meat and this seems to work just fine. Fruits and vegetables are also OK for the crabs. Stay away from processed human foods that contain preservatives. Crabs are small and are very sensitive to such chemicals. Make sure that too much food refuse doesn't pile up in the cage allowing the formation of harmful bacteria. In nature, debris is quickly eaten by the thousands of scavengers. In a cage your crab might be the only one.
Hermit crabs change their shells regularly. Make sure you scatter a few around of various sizes to accommodate their needs. Watching a hermit change shells and go through the molting process is a fascinating experience.
Hermit crabs are a popular and interesting pet. They need little attention and newly developed breeds can live for quite some time in captivity. Many people looking for an interesting and easy to care for pet choose these little creatures to inhabit their world. As an added bonus, they do not cause allergies the way many pets do and they are clean and quiet.
The natural habitats of hermit crabs are either in the ocean or on oceanic beaches. Therefore, in captivity they need a home that has either a sandy or gravel covered bottom. The animals burrow into the sand for protection, especially during the molting process. The sand or gravel should also be kept at least damp since the animals are used to a humid environment. Without sufficient humidity, the crabs will quickly become dehydrated and die. A glass aquarium with just a couple of inches of sand or aquarium gravel is perfect. The tank should have a couple of containers of fresh, non-chlorinated water. Many hermit crab owners also provide a dish of salt water for the pets to enjoy. Make sure the dishes are shallow enough for the crab to get in and out of.
Make sure that the tank has sufficient air circulation also. Hermits enjoy fresh air and a tank that is sealed too tightly can quickly develop dangerous mold that can sicken the hermits.
A few plastic plants will add the hermit's natural environment. They can seek protection in these areas. A few pieces of wood or sticks will give the crab something to climb on. Just make sure that the wood doesn't reach too high. Hermits are excellent climbers and notorious escape artists.
As far as food goes, a hermit crab can eat almost anything. In the wild they are scavengers whose role it is to keep the environment clean of refuse. Many people feed their crabs chunks of leftover meat and this seems to work just fine. Fruits and vegetables are also OK for the crabs. Stay away from processed human foods that contain preservatives. Crabs are small and are very sensitive to such chemicals. Make sure that too much food refuse doesn't pile up in the cage allowing the formation of harmful bacteria. In nature, debris is quickly eaten by the thousands of scavengers. In a cage your crab might be the only one.
Hermit crabs change their shells regularly. Make sure you scatter a few around of various sizes to accommodate their needs. Watching a hermit change shells and go through the molting process is a fascinating experience.
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