Hermit crabs chewing on plastic!

Question
QUESTION: My four crabs are gnawing on the plastic greenery in their habitat. All of them do this!! Is this normal? You can tell that they are doing it just by looking at the leaves all rigid and "gnawed" on.

I threw a few away where the bare wire was exposed just to be safe since metal is bad for them.

Is this normal for them or should I toss the faux greenery?

Thanks tons!



ANSWER: Sandra,          Theseare tree crabs. So for them it is natural. You can supplement their diets with all kinds of stuff. Like mango, grapes, peanutbutter, romaine lettuce or collard greens high in viti A.Rice cakes , unsweetened and all kinds of fresh veggies, Just take it out at night and change to fresh the next day so as not to attract larvae flies might  make a mite problem. Good luck , Tina

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tina

Thanks!!
To be honest, they get all of that stuff and more. I purchase all of their food online anywhere from the Hermit crab addiction to the Crabbage Patch, so they get great foods and also fresh stuff here too. They also have all the wooden objects to climb on such as cholla logs and even oak and maple leaves (pesticide free of course)

Could they simply be bored?  

There are plenty of shells for everyone to fit into all in various sizes and in fact I have two crabs that change almost daily which is hilarious because I dont know who is who, they are jumbos too compared to the other two.

As long as it doesnt hurt them, which is my main concern, or should I remove it?

Answer
Sandra,          No if it doesn't have metal in it... because they will eat the  rust. It should be fine they like to shred it. I think it may just be a natural habit. I don't think they are bored in your crabitat. You  have very spoiled and loved crabbys. I have a few that change all the time they make me crazy. Same problem who is who...lol I have one that likes to streak every once in awhile. He was out for 2 days the last time. I was constantly misting him. He lays on his side til I mist him sometimes. I think he does this on purpose. Silly crab. I have actually had to coax him into a shell. I think he was born in the sixties.He only does this once in awhile thank goodness cause the whole time I am beside myself.Good Luck,Tina