Hermit Crabs?

**AmyBoz** · 06-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Anyone have hermit crabs? We are taking care of Julia's two class pet hermit crabs tonight and the kids are fascinated. I started thinking that this could, perhaps, be a low maintenance pet. Any hermit crab owners? Are they, in fact, low maintenance? What's the skinny on these interesting little creatures???

**madhen** · 06-04-2009, 05:49 PM

I have never owned them, but I used to work at a pet shop that carried them. They WERE pretty low maintenance, but I remember the owner talking about how important it was to have multiple sized shells available for the crab, because they die if they can't be in the right-sized shell, and apparently, they are a little picky about which shell is perfect.

Otherwise, I think they have a hermit crab packaged food available, so it is just that, water, some nice appropriate shells, and love.

**porembam** · 06-05-2009, 09:50 PM

We have had a hermit crab for three years - I can't believe how easy they are to care for.
The only suggestion I have is if you are in a cold climate to buy a heating pad that attaches to the bottom of the tank for the winter months. Very little electricity used.
I filled a fish tank with 2 inches of play sand.
They require you to put out fresh hermit crab food once a week - my $4 jar has lasted 3 years.I put it in a seashell.
Water needs to be replenished as necessary - fill a milk jug with water and let it sit for 24 hours to let out the chlorine.
I clean out the tank every 2 months - I know it should be more but
it is always the last thing on my to do list.
It molts like once a year - I just throw out the old skeleton.
I hopes this helps.

**ktsmama** · 06-10-2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by porembam

We have had a hermit crab for three years - I can't believe how easy they are to care for.
The only suggestion I have is if you are in a cold climate to buy a heating pad that attaches to the bottom of the tank for the winter months. Very little electricity used.
I filled a fish tank with 2 inches of play sand.
They require you to put out fresh hermit crab food once a week - my $4 jar has lasted 3 years.I put it in a seashell.
Water needs to be replenished as necessary - fill a milk jug with water and let it sit for 24 hours to let out the chlorine.
I clean out the tank every 2 months - I know it should be more but
it is always the last thing on my to do list.
It molts like once a year - I just throw out the old skeleton.
I hopes this helps.

This is how we take care of our. We do use a spray bottle to mist the bedding/fibers with often. Ours just seems to like the extra humidity.

They are pretty low maintenance. Good Luck!

**pollypurebred39** · 06-10-2009, 04:02 PM

My oldest had one, he loved fruit loops!

**Palooka** · 06-10-2009, 04:15 PM

I love hermit crabs! They are so fun to watch and play with. A few years ago we had a few. They loved to hang on my shirt and hang out on the wicker table. They are very lonely creatures by nature and needs a companion or they will die if alone. They will not be shy if you spend time with them and they get to know you.

We just bought the shells at Hobby Lobby and kepted them in their home at all times. It was so cool when we woke up to find one left it's smaller shell for a bigger one.

I remember we did have like a sponge in the water( I forget why though) and they do seem to like to play in the water.

Very easy to take care of but I have to say I hate when people tip them down to try to get them out of their shells. It can be cruel to them.

It's very simple care and they are frajuel(sp) little creatures but so cute!