| These crabs are a pet that walk the line between | | | | bacteria or parasites in the substrate. |
| exotic and common. They are exotic in the sense | | | | The aquarium needs to be kept most. This can |
| that they are something other than a dog, cat, | | | | be easily accomplished maintain the substrate wet. |
| fish or hamster, but they are not so exotic as to | | | | Make sure that the aquarium has enough airflow |
| be difficult to care for. They are also harmless, | | | | that bacteria and mold don't begin to grow. Your |
| unlike many exotic pets. Since the hermit crab is | | | | crab will also enjoy the occasional misting from a |
| somewhat uncommon, there are not a lot of | | | | spray bottle. |
| hermit specific crab supplies available at the local | | | | You need to supply the aquarium with at least |
| pet store. Try to walk into PETCO and find | | | | one shallow dish of fresh water and you should |
| hermit crab chow. Special food can be purchased | | | | also place one more dish of salt water. These |
| but it's uncommon and probably unnecessary. | | | | crabs must stay hydrated or else their bodies |
| Fortunately, hermit crabs do not require any | | | | quickly dry up. |
| specialized gear other than perhaps a small | | | | Hermit crabs love to climb. A few pieces of |
| collection of shells of various sizes. Many of the | | | | driftwood or even just a few sticks will do the |
| things you need to make your crab happy and | | | | job. Make sure that the wood doesn't reach too |
| healthy can be gathered yourself in a few hours | | | | near the top of the aquarium or your hermit will |
| of beach combing. Let's break down a few areas | | | | soon be on the lam. |
| of hermit care and talk about the various options. | | | | To make caring for the crab easier, it's |
| When we talk about a hermit crab's home, we | | | | recommended that you add a thermometer and |
| are actually talking about two versions. The first is | | | | a hydrometer to the tank. These allow you to |
| his big home, or the container in which you keep | | | | easily monitor the humidity levels in the tank and |
| the crab. A small to medium size fish aquarium | | | | make sure things stay wet. Though not absolutely |
| makes a perfect hermit crab habitat. The | | | | essential, they will enhance the hermit crab |
| aquarium only needs to be big enough to | | | | experience. |
| accommodate the accessories that it will contain | | | | Though hermit crab specific food can be found if |
| such as water dishes and climbing aids. | | | | you look hard enough, it is unnecessary. Hermit |
| In the wild, crabs live in the ocean or along the | | | | crabs are scavengers and therefore can eat |
| beach. Therefore the aquarium will need to be | | | | almost anything. A few table scraps of meat of |
| filled with either beach sand, aquarium gravel of | | | | vegetables will be plenty. There is really nothing |
| even soft, muddy soil. Basically the crab needs a | | | | that will harm the crab, but it's recommended that |
| place where it can burrow into for protection. | | | | you stay away from processed food that |
| Two or three inches of material should be plenty. | | | | contains chemicals. |
| Many people like to sterilize the sand or gravel in | | | | That's all there is to it. A little initial setup and a bit |
| the oven by heating to 200 degrees for thirty | | | | of food and water and a hermit crab will pretty |
| minutes. This ensures that there are no harmful | | | | much take care of himself. |