Having a pet hermit crab could bring us a great deal of fun because these are really amazing and lively creatures. They are such interesting animals because unlike other pets that require too much care, the hermits only need low maintenance to keep them healthy and alive. Hermit crabs have these 4 antennae, two big claws, four small legs that are always kept inside their shell and four visible legs it uses for moving. As they move, they look awkward but graceful but they tend to crawl whenever their legs can bring them. Generally, there are two kinds of hermit crabs and these are the land and aquatic hermit crabs so you also need to provide special care for your hermit crab depending on the kind u have.
When we take hermit crabs as pets, we usually make their living environment much like how they live in their actual outdoor environment so we call their artificial habitats as the 揷rabitats?(habitats for crabs). Among the most common hermit crab pets are the Coenibita clypeatus. They are also called the Caribbean hermit crab, purple pincher, tree crab or the soldier crab. Because it has a purple claw and can live up to 30 or 40 years old, this one can outlive any pet in your home and so the favorite pet among all hermits.
You would surely love to have hermit crabs because they are not choosy with their food, need very minimal care and they do not get sick much like other pet animals. If you would like to have them as pets, then you want to make sure you do your research just like for any pet. Caring for you hermit crab is not difficult, it抯 pretty simple once you know to rules to dealing with them. Additionally, here are some short practical guides to help you with you raise and enjoy your hermits.
1. Handling
When trying to hold an untamed hermit crab, be careful not to get pinch by its strong pinchers. If it pinches you, never panic but hold it under running water to let go of its hold. Do not drop or swipe it with your other hand because you might kill it. Do not also try taking it out from its shell because its hind legs are firmly secured inside its shell and will never let go. Pulling it out can eventually tear his body apart. Let it choose its own shell if you want to have its shell changed. It is therefore necessary that from time to time you have to put shells bigger than their bodies in their aquarium.
2. Crabitat
For its place to live, the best place for it is the glass aquarium because in here you can maintain a constant temperature, maintain the humidity and can put water, stones or shells securely.
3. Substrate for its crabitat
The substrate can either be sand or gravel which you can put in the bottom of the tank. Remember that they need substrates because hermit crabs love to dig and burrow themselves so better choose the finest grade for these substrates.
4. Water for your hermit
Some pet owners put little water in their aquarium to make the sand or gravel wet but this is not being advised by some pet shop employees. Water dish is more preferred so that whenever the hermit wants to moisten its gills it can easily dive in and then settle to dry sand or gravel.
5. Feeding
This is the most important part of caring for your hermit crab and it抯 the easiest thing to do. Remember that the hermits are not picky eaters but they prefer variation in their food so if you think they are getting tired of their food, you can mix it in one feeding. The most nutritious foods for them are vegetables, nuts, fruits, and trail mix.
5. Keeping in the humidity.
Hermit crabs always need their environment humid because they have gills so to keep their aquarium or crabitat properly humidified you should always put a wet sponge in their tank. The sponge can also keep the conditions inside the tank cooler.
