Pet Land Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are one of the most unusual and exotic pets owned by many around the world today. Ever since it was discovered that they survive even up to twenty five years in captivity, they have been sought after as pets by many.
Pet land hermit crabs are popular pets and they have their own unique personalities. They are low in maintenance and spread joy with their curious and active nature. Hermit crabs have a soft abdomen that is vulnerable. In order to protect themselves from predators, hermit crabs borrow empty shells from other sea creatures and keep moving on to bigger shells as they outgrow their existing ones.
Pet land hermit crabs in the wild are omnivore’s creatures. In captivity, they are not fussy eaters and can be fed with almost anything we eat.
These crabs are available in all pet stores today. As you purchase a couple of them as pets, ensure checking to see if
• They have all three pairs of walking legs,
• They are not infested with parasites or bugs
• The shell covering their thorax and head is not damaged.
If you already own pet land hermit crabs, ensure you purchase crabs that are close to the sizes you have to avoid any fight among them.
Internet is one of the best resources where you can find a host of information on hermit crabs and their requirements as pets. These fascinating hermit crabs thrive well if provided with healthy food, clean environment and proper care.
Environmental cleanliness is important to ensure healthy pet land hermit crabs. Aspects you must take care of include –
• Tank and its accessories
• Temperature of the tank
• Humidity level in the tank
• Substrate
Choose the right type of tank depending on your budget. Tanks are available for hermit crabs in plastic and glass. If you have two hermit crabs of medium size, ideally you must purchase a ten gallon glass aquarium.
Most of the pet stores have the plastic tanks with a sealed lid. Ensure that the lid is solid as a perforated lid may allow the humidity to escape from the tank and it is vital to ensure good health of your pet land hermit crabs by maintaining the required humidity level.
Pick up good quality water and food dishes and of course ‘furniture’ to make them comfortable. Land hermit crabs are highly active and love to go on climbing adventures. Enhance your hermit crabs home with a variety of interesting accessories such as climbing toys, artificial plants and small logs.
You can further enhance your pet land hermit crabs comfort by providing a small cave structure, a sealed and hollowed coconut and other similar shelters to provide them with hiding spaces. It is also important choosing the right substrate for the habitat. Choose from a variety of substrate material available including the fine grained sand, coconut fiber and fine grained gravel. Take care to maintain the temperature and humidity and you have the most comfortable habitat for your favorite pet land hermit crabs.
