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Frequently Asked Questions About Land Hermit Crabs
1. Why Did My Hermit Crab Come Out Of Its Shell?
2. Why Is My Hermit Crab So Inactive?
3. What happens when a crab molts?
4. What size habitat should I provide for my hermit crab?
5. What is the best way to handle my hermit crab so it doesn't pinch me?
6. Will my hermit crab reproduce if it has a companion?
7. Why do hermit crabs lose their claws or legs?
8. What is the difference between Caribbean and Ecuadorian hermit crabs?
9. How long will my Hermit Crab live?
10.Should hermit crabs be handled or just watched?
Why Did My Hermit Crab Come Out Of Its Shell?
There are many different reasons why this may occur. 1) The shell may have
become dirty, causing the crab to feel itchy and irritated. In this
instance the crab will permanently abandon the shell. 2) There may be a crack or
some loose debris inside of his shell, causing him to feel uncomfortable and
leave the shell. 3) Your crab may be unable to hold the shell onto his
abdomen due to dry body. To remedy these problems you must first wash the
naked crab with tap water in order to remove any debris. You should then
boil the abandoned shell for approximately one minutes in order to clean
and sanitize the shell. You can also wash with hot water. Then simply place the
crab in a small container with his clean shell or new shell. Most of time
hermit crab will instinctively move into the shell.
Why Is My Hermit Crab So Inactive?
Hermit crabs are nocturnal creatures and are more active at night than
during the daytime. By adjusting the temperature in their cage between 75
and 85 degrees, or even bathing or misting them with water in order to
create a more humid in their shell, it is likely to increase their activity
during the daytime. Get your crab a few friends. Hermit Crabs are not
solitary animals. It is suggested to have more than one, since these
animals are very social.
You could even put a piece of choya wood in the cage to give them something to play with.
What happens when a crab molts?
Hermit crabs must periodically shed their exoskeleton, enabling themselves
to grow. If a hermit crab loses any part of its body including eyes or
claws, it will re-grow them through a process known as molting. During this
process they will remain in their shell and they will likely bury
themselves in the sand and may not move for
days or even weeks because they are left vulnerable while their new skin is
in the process of hardening. (This is why a lot of hermit crab owners
mistakenly believe that their crab is dying or dead. If there is no odor
present, your hermit crab is probably molting.) When they shed their skin
they lose up to 90% of their calcium and it must be replenished by eating
the old exoskeleton. You may also add egg shells or cuttlebones to aid them
in this. You can isolate your crab in a separate cage while he is molting
in order to prevent other crabs from disrupting the process.
What size habitat should I provide for my hermit crab?
A one gallon cage is sufficient for up to two crabs. Remember these are
living creatures and would like space to roam around in. You should also
provide plenty of obstacles for them to play on, such as gravels or pieces
of wood.
What is the best way to handle my hermit crab so it doesn't pinch me?
Hermit crabs will usually only pinch you if they are afraid and looking for
something to hold on to. If this happens, they will immediately release
upon contact with warm water. But if you have a crab pinch the skin, there is no
need to worry about infection, because hermit crabs do not carry any
diseases. Hermit Crabs are very passive animals and can easily be held in
the outstretched palm of your hand without any fear of being pinched.
Larger crabs however may pinch you in this situation because they do not have
enough room to move around. For this reason, you should place larger crabs
on the floor to play as opposed to in the palm of your hand.
Will my hermit crab reproduce if it has a companion?
Hermit crabs are incapable of reproducing in captivity.
Why do hermit crabs lose their claws or legs?
There are various explanations for this. Hermit Crabs could lose
their claws if their habitat becomes arid or dry, or if they become
dirty. Adding water-filled sponges in there water dish and misting crabs,
along with twice-weekly baths and daily drinking water will help an arid
environment. While you should fell sympathy for the crab, do not worry,
because the leg or claw will be regenerated during the next molting phase.
However never intentionally remove a claw from your crab.
What is the difference between Caribbean and Ecuadorian hermit crabs?
There are two types of land hermit crabs sold as pets in the United States.
One is the Caribbean Hermit Crab (purple pincher/ Coenobita clypeatus)
which are more commonly found in the Caribbean and is nicknamed for its purple
colored pincher. They primarily drink fresh water, although they can drink
salt water, and they live inland, away from the shore. The other type of
Hermit Crab is the Ecuadorian Crab( Eccie/ Coenobita compressus). They are
usually green or bluish gray in color , but as they grow their body will
begin to show orange and tan . They live primarily on the shoreline, so
they need salt water, but can also drink fresh water for a short period of time.
The best way to determine which variety you have is by the claws. The
Caribbean crab will have purple claws while the Ecuadorian will not.
How long will my Hermit Crab live?
The average life span of a hermit crab is five to fifteen years, but
they have been known to live for more than 40 years.
Should hermit crabs be handled or just watched?
Both. While it is fascinating to watch their antics, it is equally exciting
to gently handle hermit crabs and eventually have them respond to you. Just
like other pets, hermit crabs become familiar with their owner's voice and touch.
They have been known to eat out of their owner's palms, ride on their shoulders
and come out of their shell when called. Shy crabs have been trained with frequent
misting. Each day they come out looking for their showers.