Quck answer
Hermit crabs are small crustaceans that live in empty shells, using them as mobile homes. They are found in oceans and on land, and range in size from a few millimeters to over 30 centimeters in length. Hermit crabs have a soft, spiraled body that is protected by the shell, which they can retract into when threatened. They are scavengers and omnivores, feeding on a variety of organic matter and small animals. Hermit crabs are also popular pets, but it is important to provide them with the proper housing and care to ensure their well-being.
Pets
Hermit crabs can be great pets if you provide them with the right habitat. Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley
When we visit beach town souvenir stores, we expect to find sandals, seashells, and anchor magnets. During the 1970s, live hermit crabs became a popular item in these stores. Baby turtles were once the most popular pet for small children in the United States. However, their popularity decreased due to concerns about salmonella. This is when hermit crabs became popular and began selling like hotcakes at coastal gift shops. They quickly spread inland and can now be found in most pet stores.
Unfortunately, hermit crabs – like betta fish – are often purchased on impulse. Before taking one home, make sure you have done your research. Here is a brief introduction to their natural history and care, though it is not comprehensive.
Crabs of All Kinds!
Hermit crabs are part of the superfamily Paguroidea, which includes porcelain crabs and squat lobsters. There are around 800 species worldwide, including the rat-eating coconut crab, which is quite large.
Most species of hermit crabs occupy shells originally made by mollusks, such as snails, to protect their vulnerable abdomens. Some hermit crabs are fully aquatic, while others spend most of their lives on dry land.
Hermit crabs available for purchase in the United States usually belong to one of two species: Coenobita compressus or Coenobita clypeatus. The latter is an icon of the Caribbean Sea and can be found on islands and mainland habitats. These crabs have circular eyes and claws that are usually a deep shade of purple, which is why they are also known as “purple pincher” crabs or PPs. Other areas of their body may appear reddish, grayish, or tan.
Coenobita compressus has a more uniform complexion, and its claws are the same general shade as its limbs, head, and abdomen. Its eyes are oval-shaped, being taller than they are wide. It is popularly known as the “Ecuadorian hermit crab” and is sometimes referred to as the “Eccie.”
The Perfect “Crabitat”
Building the right “crabitat” for your hermit crabs can be a rewarding process, but it is not an easy task. Hermit crabs are often sold in small plastic containers, but these should not be mistaken for permanent enclosures. Hermies need much more space to be active and healthy.
Additionally, hermit crabs need company. Despite their name, these crabs are not solitary creatures. Eccies, PPs, and other related species form colonies in the wild to find food and shelter. So, make sure your crabitat includes at least two hermit crabs of the same species.
When selecting a crabitat, choose a glass-walled tank. A pair of hermit crabs will require a setup that is at least 12 inches (30 centimeters) tall, 10 inches (25 centimeters) wide, and 20 inches (51 centimeters) long. These dimensions are marketed as “10-gallon” aquariums/terrariums in the United States.
Keeping hermit crabs can be a fun and educational experience for children. Watching these crustaceans molt their shells can teach kids a lot about the natural world.
Creating the Right Environment
Hermit crabs are creatures of the tropics and require a humid living environment. Keep the humidity level in their tank between 75 to 85 percent and monitor it with a hygrometer. Use a terrarium thermometer to ensure the temperature stays between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 and 27.7 degrees Celsius). Avoid placing the crabitat next to a window as sunlight and passing breezes can disrupt the internal environment.
There are different options for heating the crabitat, including overhead lamps, undertank heaters, and a combination of both. Make sure to use products specifically designed for hermit crabs and other cold-blooded animals. Humidifiers, foggers, and daily sprayings from handheld plant misters can help maintain the right humidity level. Use a sturdy lid on top of the enclosure to prevent excess moisture from escaping, but avoid screen lids as they allow too much moisture to escape unless covered in some kind of wrap or paneling.
Providing the Essentials
Tap water is hazardous to hermit crabs due to the chlorine content, so only use dechlorinated water. Provide two separate water dishes, one with freshwater and the other with saltwater. Use sea salt instead of table salt with iodine, which can harm the hermit crabs. The dishes should be deep enough for the crabs to immerse themselves, with natural sponges as ramps.
Quality substrate is important for maintaining the right humidity level and allowing hermit crabs to burrow. A mixture of cocofiber and play sand is recommended for novice keepers. The bedding should be at least twice as deep as the biggest occupant is tall. Decorate the crabitat with branches, hunks of driftwood, hollowed-out logs, and a shallow food tray. Hermit crabs are omnivores and will eat a range of foods, including sardines, scrambled eggs, applesauce, and tofu. They require calcium for their exoskeletons, just like human bones.
Molting
Hermit crabs periodically shed their exoskeletons as they grow. Signs that a crab is due for a molt include changes in eating and digging habits, sloth, color change, and the regeneration of lost limbs. During this vulnerable process, cage-mates can injure or kill crabs, so some keepers transfer their pets to a temporary isolation enclosure. Newly shed exoskeletons should not be removed as hermit crabs recover essential nutrients by eating them. Once the process is complete, provide extra shells inside the crabitat for the crab to move into.
The Long Lifespan of Hermies
Hermies, or hermit crabs, can live for decades with the proper care. In fact, one owner even celebrated her crab’s 40th birthday in 2016. This particular crab, a female PP named Jonathan Livingston Crab, was purchased in 1976. Over time, our knowledge of hermit crab husbandry has grown and improved, ensuring that these clawed companions can bring happiness for many years.
The World’s Largest Land-Based Crustaceans
Coconut crabs are found on tropical islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and are the world’s biggest land-based crustaceans. Weighing almost 9 pounds and with a maximum leg span of around 3.2 feet, they are certainly intimidating. While they typically eat smaller creatures, carrion, fruits, seeds, and vegetable matter, it’s best not to poke these giants.
FAQ
1. What are hermit crabs and where do they live?
Hermit crabs are small crustaceans that live inside the empty shells of other mollusks, such as snails or clams. They are found in a variety of environments, including oceans, freshwater, and land. Some species of hermit crabs live exclusively on land, while others live in water.
2. How do hermit crabs protect themselves?
Hermit crabs protect themselves by living inside the shells of other mollusks. They can retract their entire body inside the shell, leaving only their claws exposed. This protects them from predators, such as birds or fish. Some species of hermit crabs also have the ability to detach their limbs if they are caught by a predator. The lost limb will eventually regenerate, allowing the crab to escape and continue living.
3. What do hermit crabs eat?
Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They have a varied diet that includes algae, plankton, small fish, and dead animals. Some species of hermit crabs have specialized diets, such as the coconut crab, which feeds on coconuts.
4. How do hermit crabs find new shells?
Hermit crabs are constantly searching for new shells as they grow larger. They use their sense of smell to detect shells that are suitable for their size and shape. When they find a suitable shell, they will leave their old shell and move into the new one. This process can be dangerous for the hermit crab, as it leaves them vulnerable to predators while they are in the process of switching shells.
5. Can hermit crabs live together?
Hermit crabs can live together, but they are not social creatures. They do not form bonds with other hermit crabs and will sometimes fight over resources, such as food and shells. If kept in captivity, it is important to provide each hermit crab with its own shell and adequate space to reduce fighting and stress.
6. Are hermit crabs good pets?
Hermit crabs can make good pets for responsible owners. They are low maintenance and require a simple diet of commercial hermit crab food and fresh water. However, they do require a suitable habitat with access to both land and water, as well as a variety of shells to choose from. It is also important to research the specific needs of the species of hermit crab you plan to keep as a pet.
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