Hermit Crab
Coenobita clypeatus and rugosus
These great beginners exotic pets, are hardy and easy to feed, feeding on pretty much anything. Hermit crabs are very sociable and do best in large groups, this also makes them more active and fun to watch. When in groups, you will hear squeaking and tick
What does the Hermit Crab look like?
C.clypeatus species of hermit crab has a lovely purple claw, which they use not only to break off food, but also to block the entrance of their shell. Their colour ranges in different shades of reds and browns, this is brighter when recently moulted.
C.rugosus are light brown in colour and have a slightly small large claw that block the entrance of the shell. They have large black eyes and this species is very active!
All hermit crabs carry a shell on their back - this is to protect their fragile bodies. The shells range in colours and shapes, depending on the crab that has picked it. They inspect the shell for the amount of space inside and the weight. If they feel comfortable with it, they will simply slip out of the old shell into the new one.
Where are Hermit Crabs from?
I think this species originate from the Caribbean.
Although hermit crabs are found in the tropics, they cannot stand the sun and high temperatures, as this will dehydrate them. During the day, they hide in shallow burrows, under fallen branches, leaves and rocks. They are most active during the night when the temperature is lower, searching for foods. If it is a very humid day or has rained, hermit crabs have been found wondering around the forest floor.
Provide a temperature of 23 - 28C, a heat mat may be used under one side of their tank, so they can go to a cooler end if required. They like the air to be humid, this also make them a little more active! Try to provide a 70% humidity, but 50-60% will be OK.
They are very active and make great exotic pets.
Are Hermit Crabs easy to keep?
Yes, they are very hardy!
There are two main types of set-ups that your hermit crabs will love. The first is a seashore set-up, providing them with a sand substrate, logs and rocks to hide under. The second is a forest set-up, providing a soil and bark chip substrate, logs, and rocks and even live plants. The live plants may be ripped and parts eaten, but if you are looking for a display tank, I would say this would look the best!
Each set-up must have a shallow dish of treated water (see below), so they may drink and clean out their shell. I would place food in a shallow dish, this will help when changing the food every few days. Feeding isn't a problem for hermit crabs, as in the wild they are scavengers. They will eat the following; fruit, vegetables, meat, dog and cat foods, seeds, cereal, dead insects and you can buy commercial hermit crab food.
One last item that must be placed in the set-up is spare shells. Hermit crabs will swap and change shells quite often and they may even stay in the same shell after moulting, if there is enough room. You can sometimes tell if your hermit crab is due for a moult. They become less active, don't eat much and burrow into the substrate. Never disturb them, as this is a dangerous time for your pet, the normally hard skin becomes soft and they can easily be injured and dry out. This can last up to a month for them to moult!
Caution: When providing water for your hermit crabs, this MUST be treated with an Aquarium de-chlorinated solution. The Chlorine will harm and possible kill your hermit crabs after a period of time. Alternatively, you can use fresh, clean rainwater!
Do Your Research: Before you commit to buying any pet, please do your own independent research.
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Link to this page:
http://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/hermit-crab.html
