So, you want to own a hermit crab: here’s what you need to know

First things first: you cannot just own one hermit crab. Despite their name, they are social creatures who need other hermit crabs to have a fulfilled, long life. So if you want one, you at least need two!

Hermit crabs are heavily mistreated pets who are frequently taken from their natural habitats on beach coasts and put into the hands of children who tend to neglect their needs and ultimately, kill them. Despite typically not lasting a year in captivity with most care, hermit crabs can live to be 30 years old.

To properly take care of hermit crabs and let them live a full life, there are many basic necessities that most aren’t aware of- lets get into them!

TANK SET UP:

At minimum, you need a 10 gallon tank for 2 crabs. If you decide you want more crabs, you need to increase the tank size by 5 gallons for every crab you add.

Hermit crabs are found in tropical beach environments, so this needs to be imitated in their tank. This will be done  by having half the tank filled with soil substrate and the other with sand. At least 6 inches is needed to allow them room to burrow, tunnel and molt.

LIGHTING AND HEAT:

Crabs are nocturnal but still need daytime heat to warm the ground that they burrow and sleep in. Their natural habitats are anywhere from 70 degrees to 90 degrees, but the heat lamp should never exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Due to being nocturnal, they do not need light during the night, but they must still receive heat. This can be done by providing a heating mat under the tank that will keep the soil warm.

They don’t necessarily need a hot and cool side like most tank animals do, but having it set this way can make it easier as a care taker and allow the crabs to move to whichever temperature feels better to them.

CLIMBING, BURROWING AND HANGING:

The soil and sand in their environment need to be minimum 6 inches deep. This allows them the appropriate space to dig and burrow. They need this soil to molt, as they will stay submerged for the 1-2 week molting process because molting makes them vulnerable.

They also require hanging and climbing space. Hermit crabs are natural climbers and love to be active. Be sure to have hammocks, artificial plants, rope and other features that can be used to climb. To ensure safety, make sure they have the ability to climb from one fixture to another as well down to the ground from any of these fixtures. This is another reason deep substrate is important, so if there is a fall, they won’t be harmed.

SHELLS, SHELLS, SHELLS

You must provide an adequate amount of crab shells for your crabs. They molt their shells to grow frequently, and without shells to grow into, they can die or they will fight and kill other crabs for the shells they want. You can find crab shells in the wild or in stores, but you must clean them. This can be done by adding the empty shells to water and boiling them to kill off any bacteria before adding them to the habitat. There must be a range of shell sizes available, from small to extra large.

FOOD AND WATER:

FOOD:

Hermit crabs are scavengers in the wild. They will eat pretty much anything that they come across that is vegetation. In captivity, however, they do need a good supply of healthy, fresh foods to make their lifespan as long as possible.  They can be fed a variety diet of different fruits and vegetables, as well as various grains, nuts and berries, and even supplements like crushed oyster shell, cow bone and even worm castings.

WATER:

Hermit crabs must have 24/7 access to fresh water and salt water. Due to their costal habitat, they require both forms. The fresh water dish and salt water dish should be large enough for the crabs to submerge in. This will allow them to clean themselves and keep their shells moist and healthy. You will need to buy fresh water and salt water conditioners to provide these.

Aside from drinking and bathing, hermit crabs also require rain in their natural habitats. To imitate this, you must mist their tank daily, around night time. This will moisten empty shells and create a humid habitat that their natural environment has.

BEHAVIOR AND HANDLING:

BEHAVIOR:

Hermit crabs, as mentioned, are very social creatures among other hermit crabs. Towards humans, however, they are very shy and view us as predators. It will take time, even years, to develop a trusting relationship with their handler. To develop this trust, you can start by feeding them and putting water in their bowls while they are out, to get them used to seeing your hands and learn that you are not a threat. As you do this, you can start trying to hand the crabs food- such as coconut shavings or slices of produce, and see if they will take it.

The behavior they have among each other is interesting to watch. They communicate by barely-audible clicks and by moving their antennas in specific arrangements.

Although they are most often nocturnal, there are some crabs who like to come out during the day and snack and then return underground. Crabs can vary in habits just as humans do- so don’t be surprised to see your crabs act differently than others or go against the ‘norms’ of crab behavior.

HANDLING:

Once you have gained trust and are able to handle your hermit crabs, it is important to remember: they are crabs. They have claws and pincers that can feel like nothing or can break the skin, depending on the size of your crab and how comfortable they are with you.

To begin handling your crabs, you should start by wearing a sock or glove on your hand. If you feel a pinch it is really important not to instinctively drop the crab or move your hand erratically, which this is why it is also important to hold your crab close to a surface in the event that they do tumble or you drop it.