Hermit crabs are captivating and low-maintenance pets that bring joy to kids and adults alike. While they may seem simple to care for, these fascinating creatures require specific attention to thrive. This comprehensive guide will take you through everything you need to know about caring for hermit crabs, from setting up their habitat to maintaining their health and well-being.
Understanding Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are social crustaceans that inhabit discarded shells for protection. They thrive in groups, and their quirky behaviors make them intriguing pets. With proper care, hermit crabs can live up to 15 years, providing a rewarding long-term companionship.
Creating the Ideal Habitat
Setting up a proper enclosure is essential for your hermit crab’s health and happiness. A glass terrarium or aquarium, such as the Reptile One Glass Hinged Door Terrarium, is an excellent choice. This terrarium provides maximum functionality with its waterproof, sealed glass base, making it suitable for semi-aquatic and terrestrial species. It features a removable mesh lid, sliding or hinged glass doors with locks, and ample space for hermit crabs to climb and explore. Another great option is the Krabooz Cribz, designed specifically for hermit crabs, offering a safe and secure habitat tailored to their needs. For multiple crabs, choose an enclosure between 40L and 250L, ensuring a balance of vertical climbing space and floor area to accommodate their active nature.
Krabooz products are tailored to hermit crabs, offering a fun and educational approach for families and first-time pet owners. Their range includes food, habitats, and accessories, all designed with hermit crabs' needs in mind. Krabooz also introduces children to four unique tribes that teach important lessons about health and environmental care, making it an engaging way to nurture both pets and young learners.
Substrate
Choosing the right substrate is crucial for creating a comfortable and safe environment for your hermit crabs. Ideal substrates include fine sand, gravel, or coco-peat, all of which are burrow-friendly and allow for the natural digging behavior essential to hermit crabs' health. The bedding should be moist but not overly wet, and at least 3–4cm deep to support proper burrowing.
For a high-quality substrate, consider Reptile One Critters Comfort Bedding, which is made from 100% organic coconut coir. This bedding is non-toxic, dust-free, and free from chemicals and fragrances, ensuring the safety of your hermit crabs. It comes in both coarse and fine options, so you can choose the texture that best suits your setup. Another excellent choice is Krabooz Zuper Zands Bedding, a cozy blend of coconut husk and shell grit designed specifically for hermit crab enclosures. This organic bedding not only provides a comfortable burrowing medium but also absorbs odors and moisture to maintain a clean habitat.
Hermit crabs molt as they grow, shedding their exoskeleton. During this time, they burrow and need a stress-free environment. Ensure their substrate is deep enough to accommodate this natural process.
Temperature and Humidity
Maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels in your hermit crab's enclosure is essential for their health and well-being. During the day, the temperature should be kept between 23–28°C, while at night, it can drop slightly to a range of 18–24°C. Equally important is the humidity, which should remain between 70–80% to support their ability to breathe and molt properly. To ensure these conditions are consistently met, invest in a reliable digital thermometer and hygrometer for accurate monitoring of the enclosure's climate.
To create a stable and warm environment, consider using a heat pad or lamp. The Krabooz Heat Pad is an excellent choice, providing gentle and consistent warmth to maintain the ideal temperature range. Pair this with the Krabooz Humidity & Temperature Gauge, a handy tool designed specifically for monitoring the conditions in your hermit crab habitat. This gauge allows you to make precise adjustments to keep your crabs comfortable and thriving.
For maintaining optimal humidity, regular misting is essential. The Insectimo Mister Spray Water Bottle is a convenient and easy-to-use solution for keeping the substrate and air moist, helping to maintain the required humidity levels. By ensuring these key factors are met, you can create a safe and inviting environment for your hermit crabs to flourish.
Décor and Enrichment
Hermit crabs are naturally curious and thrive in environments that encourage exploration, climbing, and hiding. To cater to these instincts, incorporate features like natural driftwood, climbing toys, and hiding spots into their enclosure. Bark caves, clay pots, and similar items provide safe spaces for your hermit crabs to retreat to when they need privacy or rest. For added enrichment, rotate decorations periodically to keep their surroundings fresh and stimulating, preventing boredom and encouraging active exploration.
The Krabooz Spare Treez is an excellent addition to any hermit crab habitat. This wooden climbing tree is specifically designed to keep hermit crabs entertained and engaged. Easy to assemble, it fits perfectly into Cribz enclosures but can be used in any setup. Its unique design offers plenty of shapes and cutouts, providing a dynamic climbing experience for your crab to enjoy.
Diet and Nutrition
Hermit crabs are omnivorous creatures that thrive on a varied diet combining fresh foods, calcium-rich supplements, and commercial options. Providing a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for their health and longevity. Staples like cooked chicken, fish, shrimp, or eggs are excellent sources of protein. For fruits and vegetables, favorites include apples, bananas, mangoes, kale, and zucchini. Always wash produce thoroughly to remove any pesticides or harmful chemicals. These fresh foods should form the foundation of their diet, ensuring a good mix of nutrients.
Calcium is an essential supplement to promote strong shell health. Offer cuttlebone, crushed eggshells, or coral sand as a constant source of calcium in their enclosure. Pisces Cuttlebone provides a natural, inexpensive source of calcium carbonate as well as other trace minerals that are necessary for health and wellbeing.
Incorporating high-quality commercial foods as a dietary base ensures your hermit crabs receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Krabooz Munchiez Mix is a top-tier option. This blend, developed by animal nutritionists, includes shrimp, protein, seaweed, oats, seeds, and even popcorn, making it both healthy and tasty. A teaspoon of this mix every two or three days keeps your hermit crab well-fed and happy. Krabooz’s fun range of products caters specifically to hermit crabs and introduces children to pet care in a creative way.
Another excellent option is Aqua One Hermit Crab Flake Food, which provides balanced daily nutrition with vitamins, minerals, and high-protein ingredients. Designed for easy digestion, it supports energy levels, vibrant colours, and overall health while minimizing waste in the enclosure. For a flavourful treat, Zoo Med Hermit Crab Fruit Salad offers an all-natural mix of dried apples, cranberries, and mangoes, appealing to your crab’s sweet tooth while adding variety to their diet.
While offering variety is key, it’s equally important to avoid harmful foods. Never feed hermit crabs citrus fruits, garlic, onions, or processed foods, as these can be toxic. With the right mix of fresh, commercial, and supplemental foods, you can ensure your hermit crabs stay healthy, active, and happy.
Water Essentials
Hermit crabs require access to both freshwater and saltwater to thrive, as these fulfill their hydration and bathing needs while supporting their overall health. Providing water in sturdy, shallow bowls is essential to prevent tipping and spillage. The Krabooz Food and Water Bowl offers a practical and durable option for serving your hermit crab’s food or water.
For freshwater, use dechlorinated water to ensure it is safe for your hermit crabs. When preparing saltwater, always use marine-grade salt to create a suitable saline environment for their saltwater baths. These baths are vital for maintaining their hydration levels and balancing their internal salinity.
Hermit crabs often drink water through sponges, which also play a significant role in maintaining humidity within their enclosure. Placing a sponge in the saltwater pool helps reduce water spillage and boosts enclosure humidity, creating a comfortable and healthy atmosphere. Remember to alternate the sponges every three days to maintain cleanliness and freshness.
The Krabooz Soggy Sponge sea sponge is not only a source of hydration but also contains beneficial nutrients like chitin and natural shell fragments that hermit crabs can consume. The Krabooz Salt Poolz features built-in steps for easy access, and it can be filled with either freshwater or saltwater, making it a versatile addition to your hermit crab’s habitat.
Providing Spare Shells
As hermit crabs grow, they naturally outgrow their existing shells and will require new ones. It’s important to offer shells that are slightly larger than their current size to allow room for growth while avoiding too much excess space, which can be uncomfortable for them. Regularly providing appropriate shells helps keep your hermit crab healthy and prevents stress.
The Krabooz Spare Shellz are a perfect solution to meet this need. Made from non-toxic resin, these shells are safe for your hermit crab and provide a secure and comfortable new home as they grow. If you prefer a more natural aesthetic for your hermit crab’s enclosure, the Undercover Krabooz Spare Shellz offer an ideal choice, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. These shells not only ensure your pet has the perfect fit but also enhance the overall look of their habitat, making them a great addition to any hermit crab enclosure.
Maintenance and Hygiene
Maintaining a clean and healthy environment for your hermit crab is essential to their well-being, and it involves daily, weekly, and occasional deep cleaning tasks. On a daily basis, ensure that any uneaten food is removed to prevent it from decaying and potentially contaminating the habitat. It's also important to replace the water regularly, making sure both the freshwater and saltwater bowls are clean and filled with dechlorinated water.
Additionally, check the humidity and temperature levels to ensure they remain within the ideal range for your hermit crab. On a weekly basis, spot-clean the substrate by removing any waste or debris, and rinse decorations with dechlorinated water to maintain a hygienic environment. Every 2-3 months, perform a more thorough cleaning by replacing the substrate and carefully cleaning the entire tank. It's essential to use pet-safe cleaning products for this process and avoid detergents or chemicals that could harm your hermit crab.
Health and Behaviour
Monitoring your hermit crab for signs of stress, illness, or discomfort is crucial to ensuring its health and well-being. Signs such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behaviour should not be ignored, as they may indicate stress or an underlying health issue. It's important to provide a quiet and clean environment to minimize stress, as loud noises or a dirty habitat can contribute to discomfort.
One common issue that hermit crabs face is shell eviction, which can occur if they don't have enough suitable shells to choose from. Always provide a variety of shells to ensure your hermit crab has options when it outgrows its current one. Stress can also arise from environmental or social factors, so be sure to promptly address any issues that may be causing distress. In the case of parasites, it’s essential to isolate the affected crab and clean the tank thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.
Hermit crabs are unique and fascinating pets that offer endless entertainment and companionship. With the right setup, diet, and care, they can thrive for years. For all your hermit crab care needs, visit Woonona Petfoods, where we stock essential products like substrates, heat pads, and nutritious food options to keep your crab happy and healthy.
Feel free to reach out to us for personalized advice or recommendations tailored to your new hermit crab companion!
