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From the lens Caring for Hermit Crabs.

  • princesskeena Dec 30, 2010 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    cleansing-diet, you should think about getting your kids a pet they can hold or they might become uninterested and you will end up doing all of the work. They may also stress out the crabs by constantly looking in the window or grabbing at things. The stress will make the crabs even more boring to them, and the crabs will encounter problems.
  • Silverpelt Aug 9, 2010 @ 4:15 pm | delete
    This is one awsome website it has eveything you need to know about hermit crabs
  • Silverpelt Aug 7, 2010 @ 10:18 pm | delete
    This website is awsome! It has everything you need to know to care and have hermit crabs! :)
  • cannedguds Jul 26, 2010 @ 10:02 pm | delete
    I'm so very curious about hermit crabs that's why I've swam into this lens of yours! I think I have all the info right here how to care for a hermit crab pet although I have seen some book guides, too! Thanks for the tips!
  • StephanieB-Writer May 30, 2009 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    I had 3 hermit crabs when I was a preteen and I'm obviously a great crab mom cause they lived forever! I was always told they would talk to each other and the first time they did it scared me. I thought someone was snickering and I couldn't see anyone lol. I think its important to mention that you couldn't freak out when you find their old skeleton after they've molted. They aren't dead, they just moved.
  • emmy Apr 25, 2009 @ 3:46 pm | delete
    I am going to gate a craby or two I never ever hade a hermit crab and now I know all I need to know thank you I love your crabys thank you I am 11 first crab i well have I well know what to do
  • KaceyK Mar 21, 2009 @ 2:31 pm | delete
    I have had Hermies for just over a year, now. I am 12 years old. I currently have 4 purple pinchers: Dip, Precious, Bruce and Wishbone. They really seem to like peanut butter and buttered popcorn. I just keep them in a really big rubbermaid container with clear sides and big holes in the top. They love to climb to the second floor, which I made by putting a peice of wood on 4 baby food jars with a wooden ramp. They are really fun and i am hoping to purchase a 15 gallon aquaruim soon. I use playsand for my subtrate. One of my crabs recently switched shells 3 times in one day and swithched again today. Anyways... Happy Crabbing!!!
  • princesskeena Mar 2, 2009 @ 11:50 pm | in reply to Alyssa | delete
    Hey Alyssa, give them awhile to adjust to the background. It also may not be their thing, so don't worry. Also, read this site again, I give examples of things you can use as huts. Never use playdough or clay, they may eat it.
  • Alyssa Mar 2, 2009 @ 4:32 pm | delete
    hey i have three hermit crabs and they are really cool. but im not sure if they like my climbing background. they never climb on it and ive had it for a few days. also, I want to make something for my hermit crabs. like aybe a little hut for them. but what should i make it out of? play dough? or clay?
  • hermitcrabfriend5 Dec 30, 2008 @ 5:55 pm | delete
    I just got three new hermit crabs and they are so cute! They love fruit and their coconut hideaway. I think they are great pets.
  • hermitcrabfriend5 Dec 30, 2008 @ 5:55 pm | delete
    I just got three new hermit crabs and they are so cute! They love fruit and their coconut hideaway. I think they are great pets.
  • princesskeena Dec 14, 2008 @ 4:11 pm | in reply to princesskeena | delete
    **make that 12 and older
  • princesskeena Dec 14, 2008 @ 4:09 pm | in reply to smartie | delete
    I think they're great first pets for anyone 12 who can follow directions, who are responsible, and who can put time & care into them. Inactive crabs are usually unhealthy crabs that live in bad conditions. If you give them what they need, they should be little Tarzans and you will be entertained. My crabs are always doing weird things and I love all of their different personalities. They love to crawl over each other, wave to my cats w/ their little claws, carry their food across the tank, and sit on the shells that are in the water like a boat. It is definitely possible they you'll get a sick or shy crab, but that shouldn't be the determining factor!
  • smartie Dec 13, 2008 @ 1:56 pm | delete
    i was wondering, is a hermit crab a good first pet? i have asthma, so i can't be around anything with fur, i have bad luck with fish (they always die) reptiles and amphibians have to be fed live food, so i decided a hermit crab would be good. is it? and everyone says it's not active or interactive. is that true?
  • princesskeena Nov 22, 2008 @ 5:48 pm | in reply to xmumbox | delete
    Climbing background is like a thick sheet of coconut fiber. It is rolled up when you buy it - but you flatten it out and stick it to your tank with velcro. I stuck mine halfway into the substrate and it stood straight up and I didn't need velcro. The crabs love to climb on it and it's okay for them to eat.

    Some moss is bad (maybe poisonous?) for hermit crabs, like Spanish moss. Most people use Hiawatha moss for their crabs. If it's a safe kind, and he is molting, I think it's going to be ok until you can change it. You can still keep lots of moss in your tank for them to play in - mine LOVE moss. But you still need to use something else as substrate.
  • xmumbox Nov 20, 2008 @ 3:42 pm | delete
    i was wondering, what exactly is a climbing backgroud?
    and i was also wondering if moss is good for hermit crabs. in my tank they only have moss, which i found out that just having moss isnt such a good idea but i cant change the tank right now becuase one of my crabs are molting, but i also heard it might be harmful. is that true?
  • princesskeena Nov 16, 2008 @ 3:36 pm | in reply to smartie | delete
    I don't know what you mean by "soures" but you are right about PP's. I'm changing up my substrate today for my guys w/ mostly coconut fiber. :)
  • smartie Nov 16, 2008 @ 3:32 pm | delete
    thanks! although i've heard that PPs are more in land, i'm going to get both.

    do you know which soures are most reliable?
  • princesskeena Nov 15, 2008 @ 5:44 pm | in reply to smartie | delete
    Get both substrate if you can! Together it would be about $10. If I had to pick one - I'd pick sand because I think they're in sand more than in the forest in their native homes. Although this could be opposite for Purple Pinchers - try looking up all the info you can on where they come from!

    You can get a lid at any pet store and places like Walmart or Target! Pet stores will have lids of all sizes but Walmart/Target may not carry ones for 20 gallons.

    4-5 hermies can EASILY fit in a 20 gallon tank. They can fit in a 10 gallon tank, too. Although everyone has a different opinion, in a 20 gallon tank I'd limit myself at 8-12 crabs.

    Thanks for your comments!
  • smartie Nov 15, 2008 @ 4:42 pm | delete
    do you know what substrate is best? i want purple pinchers but i don't know whether to use coco fiber or play sand. and where can i get a lid? would three or four hermit crabs fit in a twenty gallon? othere than that, great site. really imformative.
  • princesskeena Nov 10, 2008 @ 11:33 am | in reply to KellyElizabethCooper@hotmail.com | delete
    Try searching for these keywords:

    "salt water"
    giant
    "hermit crab"
    -land
    water
    aquatic
    marine

    -land will take away search results that include the word land.
  • KellyElizabethCooper@hotmail.com Nov 10, 2008 @ 10:48 am | delete
    I have a salt water giant hermit crab and I am struggle to find info on him, all I can find is land hermit crab. Any suggestions?
  • princesskeena Nov 8, 2008 @ 10:46 pm | in reply to bailey | delete
    I'm really sorry to hear that bailey! But it's not your fault, so try not to feel guilty! It could have been a number of things mentioned on this page and more. I have had crabs that I just brought home and they died. And then I've had one crab for a whole year and he just randomly died! I was shocked. But I did the best I could and I'm sure you did too! If you follow this page as a guide, you can't go wrong. Good luck with your others! <33
  • bailey Nov 8, 2008 @ 9:09 pm | in reply to princesskeena | delete
    One of my hermit crabs just had a sudden death. i fed them and watered them every day but i don't know what happened! none of the other ones died...................
  • princesskeena Nov 7, 2008 @ 5:32 pm | in reply to bailey | delete
    Hey bailey, sometimes my crabs are very inactive in a change in weather and then they will all pop back when the weather changes again. It's very weird, but could it be your crabs' reason? Maybe this is just a symptom of not eating enough, or getting ready to molt. Sometimes there's nothing more you can do than wait and watch. Btw I really like your crab names :)
  • bailey Nov 7, 2008 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    hi! my hermit crabs are not acting as active lately. i have tried new toys for them but they are just not the same! you seem like you really know alot about hermit crabs. i hope you can help me!

    p.s. i have 6 hermit crabs and their names are: squirt,rainbow,sheldon,gary,manny, and cookie! thanks!
  • bailey Oct 21, 2008 @ 4:04 pm | delete
    your info was sooooooooo helpful! my mom told me to print out some things on hermit crabs and yours was perfect! thanks soooooo much!
  • princesskeena Oct 19, 2008 @ 9:10 pm | delete
    nikki: The ones underground may be molting, which is a good thing! The ones that died may have already been sick or they may have gotten too stressed out on the move. Is your temperature and humidity ok? I have had random deaths, but I think it has more to do with the crab than the environment when the environment is great. Good luck!
  • nikki Oct 19, 2008 @ 7:09 pm | delete
    we bought 6 crabs and have a 10 gallen tank, they have other shells, sand and cocanut fibers, salt and fresh water plus a verity of food. last week one died and another 2day. they are not verry active and only one spends any time moving around the others are all burried. we have had them for almost two months and they are all tiny. what is causing them to die off? :(
  • princesskeena Oct 15, 2008 @ 5:29 pm | delete
    hermi luver63: Why do you want to bathe your tiny crab? There really is no reason to, and you may do a lot of damage to it. Just provide the crab with water in it's tank and it will do it on its own when it needs to.
  • hermi luver63 Oct 15, 2008 @ 5:02 pm | delete
    hi i have a hermit crab that has just molted about 2 weeks ago and she is the tinyest crab ever i was wondering when it is ok to bathe a crab after molting... i was hopeing you can help me here......
  • princesskeena Oct 12, 2008 @ 8:58 pm | delete
    Cheyenne: It could be any of these problems or more:

    1. The shell is dirty inside. Try boiling it and letting it cool to give back to the crab fresh and clean.

    2. The shell is too heavy for the crab's preference.

    3. The shell is the wrong type for the crab (different species like different shells). Some crabs like D shaped openings, some like rounder openings, too.

    4. The crab is really picky, or it is shopping in advance ;) Or perhaps it's looking to see if another crab is in it.

    Good luck!
  • Cheyenne Oct 12, 2008 @ 4:36 pm | delete
    My hermit crab has gotten big since the 3 months i have had him. He goes to this shell, puts his head in it and then goes away. It is the perfect next size up. Is he ready to change?
  • princesskeena Oct 10, 2008 @ 3:46 pm | delete
    Thanks for all the good comments!

    Casey: No, your hermit crabs won't breed because they need the ocean for that. You do not need a heat lamp if the temperature is warm enough.

    Lynne: There is no rule that you need a specific kind of tank or lid. Your humidity seems too high, maybe try to vent it out. I do not believe any animal should be completely enclosed in a glass box. A screen lid might have too many holes, though. I do have a partial hood lid w/ a light, and it works perfectly, but I don't know the specs, it came with the tank (a fish tank). If your tank can be lit by a window or lights in your house for 12 hrs a day (like our world), I don't think your crabs need their own light bulb. Is it cold where you live? Try moving your tank upstairs or putting it in a heated area in your house. You can email me at keena_matlock at yahoo.com if you need more help!
  • Lynne Oct 10, 2008 @ 3:19 pm | delete
    I'm haveing HUGE trouble maintaining temp/humidity in my 10gal. crabitat! Every pet store I've contacted gives me opposing opinions, so I don't where to turn. (I'm a novice at keeping hermit crabs....obviously)> Here's what I have for my glass tank...a small Zoomed stick-on heater on a side wall, a slightly larger one underneather....I'm lucky if temp is @ 75degrees. Humidity is often around 99%....and I don't know why! On the other hand, I've stuck my finger into substrate that looks dry and feels that way, too. I'm using combination Eko-earth fiber & sand. I just bought a glass lid (because EVERYONE said I should have one (to replace the screen lid with removable cardboard inserts I'd been using). IS IT TRUE I NEED A PARTIAL HOOD & LIGHT? WHAT LIGHT & WHAT WATTS? I'm trying very hard to do this right.....HELP!
  • fritteritter Oct 2, 2008 @ 12:26 am | delete
    Fantastic lens. This includes all of the advice that I give people and everything I do to keep my hermies happy! I have had a hard time finding a single site that summarizes everything correctly and it looks like you hit the mark - I will be using your Squidoo page as a reference when answering hermie questions online - thanks again!
  • casey Sep 5, 2008 @ 4:44 am | delete
    i want to buy some hermit crabs is it possible they will breed and how would i look after the babies?
    also do i need a heat lamp?
  • brianna Sep 3, 2008 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    thanks, this helps alot for first time owner
  • Tom Aug 23, 2008 @ 4:17 pm | delete
    I love my two hermies,lucie & joe!!
  • jj Aug 12, 2008 @ 1:02 pm | delete
    i realy want a hermit crab and i obses over reptiels thanx for the info!
  • Demi Aug 7, 2008 @ 4:58 pm | delete
    hiiyaah i have 3 hermies 2 of them have never changed their shells is there a reason why the other one always changes his shell i have 3 diffrent sized hermit crabs and kloads of shells on offer for them thanks demi
  • princesskeena Aug 1, 2008 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    Sarah Ann, I would not recommend getting crabs at this point in your life. I waited until I didn't live with my parents and I could afford and take care of many crabs in a large tank. They need space. Don't limit them and ruin their lives because you can't resist, you know?
  • Sarah Ann Jul 28, 2008 @ 6:33 pm | delete
    I have a question, do hermit crabs absolutely positivley HAVE 2 be in a 10 Gallon Tank Minimum? my mama said no 10 gallon tanks. She said I have 2 many pets already. I have a Betta fish in a 1 gallon, 4 guppies in a 2 gallon, 2 bettas in another 1 gallon, 2 frogs in a 5 gallon, and some tadpoles (2 many 2 count) in a half gallon. But she said no 2 all that in the first place! But can they be in less than a 10 gallon? If not, how many can go in a 10 gallon at one time?
  • bob Jul 24, 2008 @ 7:10 pm | delete
    I bought 2 hermit crabs for my kids, but they don't seem to move around much.Any suggestions on what would make them more active?
  • bob Jul 24, 2008 @ 7:10 pm | delete
    I bought 2 hermit crabs for my kids, but they don't seem to move around much.Any suggestions on what would make them more active?
  • JD Jul 21, 2008 @ 7:54 pm | delete
    Thanks, i have 2 hermits and they seem happy but thanks to your site i have new ideas for improving their excersie and decore in the cage to improve their home.
  • sophie scott Jul 15, 2008 @ 12:05 am | delete
    HELLO! Im devoted to my 4 hermit crabs,ERNIE,KANI,FLEXI and CHESTER.I've found out what sex they are, 2 girls and 2 boys!kani is my most recent and favourite one cos she loves changing shells and has antennae fights with my jumbo hermit crab and she wont stopp til she wins!
    my jumbo hermit crab is a little smaller than a computer mouse and he is a sook.I like do buy expensive things for them,like not a plain temperature check but a digital one that also tells the humidity and they have an infrared and moon glo bulb as well as a heat matt but I dont use the heat mat much.they stay in my room and thats good cos I can sleep thru their noise!I will be 18 in 11 days and will probably spend my birthday money on the crabs even though they have everything in the world.c ya.
  • jerry Jun 27, 2008 @ 12:33 am | delete
    Great site
    I just purchased two hermit crabs for my dauther that past kindergarten, that was what she wanted: we have many pets but this type is a first. Thanks for the great info.

    Friends from Alberta Canada
  • princesskeena Jun 24, 2008 @ 11:27 am | delete
    HBS247, yes you can hold them. I hold mine so they will bond but I wear gloves, because I've been pinched once and I'd rather not be pinched again. :)
  • HBS247 Jun 21, 2008 @ 11:33 pm | delete
    can you hold hermit crabs? and if you can hold them won't they pinch you?
  • Anthany Jun 20, 2008 @ 6:09 pm | delete
    I have 2 hermit crabs and they are so helthy because I listen to your advises. Thank you very much.
  • princesskeena Feb 25, 2008 @ 11:27 am | delete
    Amy, just offer many shells that it would fit into that aren't painted and hopefully it will switch out.
  • amy walter Feb 25, 2008 @ 12:51 am | delete
    my hermit crab is in a paint shell what do i do about it?
  • Nicole Jan 26, 2008 @ 8:00 am | delete
    I might be buying a hermit crab today and the info was very helpful
  • DogWhisperWoman Oct 7, 2007 @ 8:34 pm | delete
    5* I never knew something so small needed so much attention! Dog Whisper Woman
  • Gatsby Oct 7, 2007 @ 3:18 pm | delete
    5* I thought about owning a hermit crab, this is the place to start. Dog Whisper with Rena
  • ashley Sep 2, 2007 @ 6:37 pm | delete
    hey this site is awsome i just got a hermit crab 2day and i know nothing about them so i am glad that i found this site, what about breading? cause there was nothing in here about it, and what foods are best for them?
  • Caleb Aug 30, 2007 @ 10:00 pm | delete
    I had a hermit crab named crabby, he was a lot of fun. I took him on trips and he was very whiney. Those weird noises he had made were cool. You can read about one of our trips at http://hermit-crab-care.blogspot.com
  • meme Jul 29, 2007 @ 12:39 am | delete
    i have a salt water hermit crab and it is rerry cool itz the first time i have goten some tihns that needs to chages itz shell so im gonna do ang thins i can to keep it alive cuz i don't want it to die any time soon so i hoope it lives an good 5 or more years wif me i jest got it mot to long ago....
  • princesskeena Jul 19, 2007 @ 12:27 pm | delete
    yasemin,

    I said hermit crabs will eat ALMOST anything. If food has salt in it, it has to be sea salt. Salted peanuts are bad, salted shrimp is bad - because these usually have the wrong salt. If the dechlorinater has a slime coat you can't use it.. bottled water is easiest. You can use the tank! :)
  • yasemin Jul 19, 2007 @ 4:03 am | delete
    i was wondering you said that hermit crabs can eat anything and that salt was toxic to them what if some food has salt in it?also i used to have fish and we used this special stuff to dechlorinate the water can i use that and we also have a large glass tank left over can i use that?
  • MrLewisSmile Jun 27, 2007 @ 10:05 pm | delete
    I'm nominating this lens as Lens of the Day :)

    I have a large fishtank (40 litres) that I was going to turn into a large worm farm. Hermit crabs look like a lot of fun though!

    - Lewis

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princesskeena

Keena; 22; Southern CA

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