Member-only story

Hermits: The Complete Hermit Crab Care Guide

Ezekiel Cox

·16.8k Followers· Follow

Published in L A Kornetsky

5 min read

490 View Claps

31 Respond

Save

Listen

Hermit crabs make wonderful pets for people of all ages. They are relatively easy to care for, and they are fascinating to watch. However, it is important to do your research before getting a hermit crab, as they do have specific needs that must be met in order to stay healthy and happy.

Hermits: The Complete Hermit Crab Care Guide

by L. A. Kornetsky

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6400 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	35 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Choosing the Right Environment

The first step in providing good care for your hermit crab is to choose the right environment. Hermit crabs are tropical animals, so they need a warm, humid environment. The ideal temperature range for hermit crabs is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level should be between 70 and 80 percent.

The size of the enclosure will depend on the number of hermit crabs you have. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 10 gallons of space for each crab. The enclosure should be made of a material that is not porous, such as glass or plastic. This will help to keep the humidity levels high.

The enclosure should be furnished with a variety of items, including:

A hiding place: Hermit crabs need a place to hide where they can feel safe. This can be a simple piece of PVC pipe or a more elaborate structure, such as a cave or a castle.
A climbing structure: Hermit crabs love to climb, so providing them with a climbing structure will help to keep them active and entertained.
A water dish: Hermit crabs need access to fresh water at all times. The water dish should be shallow and wide enough for the crabs to climb in and out of easily.
A food dish: The food dish should be large enough to hold enough food for all of the crabs in the enclosure.

Feeding Your Hermit Crab

Hermit crabs are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. In the wild, hermit crabs eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects, and small animals. When kept in captivity, hermit crabs can be fed a diet of commercial hermit crab food, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.

It is important to offer your hermit crab a variety of foods to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need. Some good choices include:

Commercial hermit crab food
Fresh fruits, such as apples, bananas, and grapes
Fresh vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and spinach
Live insects, such as crickets and mealworms
Cooked chicken or fish

You should feed your hermit crab once or twice a day. The amount of food you give them will depend on their size and activity level. It is important to avoid overfeeding your hermit crab, as this can lead to health problems.

Keeping Your Hermit Crab Healthy

Hermit crabs are relatively hardy animals, but they can still get sick. It is important to be aware of the signs of illness in hermit crabs so that you can take them to the vet promptly if necessary.

Some of the signs of illness in hermit crabs include:

Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Difficulty moving
Swollen or discolored abdomen
Discharge from the eyes or mouth

If you notice any of these signs of illness in your hermit crab, it is important to take them to the vet promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to improve your hermit crab's chances of survival.

In addition to taking your hermit crab to the vet if they are sick, there are a few things you can do to help keep them healthy:

Provide them with a clean and healthy environment.
Offer them a variety of foods to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need.
Avoid overfeeding them.
Handle them gently.
Monitor their behavior for any signs of illness.

Hermit crabs can make wonderful pets for people of all ages. They are relatively easy to care for, and they are fascinating to watch. By following the tips in this guide, you can help to provide your hermit crab with the best possible care.

Hermits: The Complete Hermit Crab Care Guide

by L. A. Kornetsky

5 out of 5