Taking Care of Your Hermit Crab

If you are in the market for a new pet, you should consider buying a hermit crab. These are popular and good for kids, as they are fairly easy to take care of. Hermit crabs like to be with their peeps so you may want to buy a group of hermit crabs.

So, what supplies do you need before you bring your hermit crabs home? You'll need a few supplies. Hermit crabs like plenty of space so it is a good idea to buy at least an aquarium, at least 5 gallons if not bigger, with a lid. You will need some sand, food, water and a food and water bowl. You should pick up some extra shells for your pet since they can't grow their own.

Hermit crabs need a few inches of sand to burrow around in. Make the sand a bit damp. Now you are ready to get the aquarium hermit crab-ready. Place the food and water bowls in the aquarium and not very deep in the sand. The aquarium should be between 78-85 degrees to make your pet cozy. Place your hermit crab in the aquarium and take some time to get acquainted.

What do hermit crabs like to eat? You can purchase hermit crab food from your local pet store. They also like fresh fruits and vegetables. Hermit crabs need calcium, just like we do, so you can feed them cuttlebone to supply this vitamin to your pet. Hermit crabs are nocturnal so they like to eat and be active at night.

Unlike other aquarium pets, hermit crabs do not require lots of maintenance. You should clean the food and water bowls daily and comb the sand for any leftover food scraps. Every few months, you should empty out the aquarium and clean it thoroughly, and put in some fresh sand.

Once a year, your hermit crab will molt. They may appear sick as they will move slow and not eat as much. It may even bury itself in the sand. You should give your crab a dark place to molt with a water source nearby. And as the Beatle's song says "Let it be". You should only be concerned about the health of your hermit crab if it stays burrowed in the sand for more than a month.

Kids like to play with their hermit crabs on smooth floors, like tile or wood floors. Do not let your cat or dog around the crab. To pick your crab up, be sure to do so from the back or top of the shell and keep your hand flat. This will minimize pinching.

Hermit crabs can live from 6-15 years if taken good care of. This is a good chance to teach your kids about responsibility.