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Hermit Crabs as Pets

Read more articles on Let Me Share With You and Pet Hermit Crabs.

June 29, 2007

About This Editor: Karen has enjoyed her many varied experiences in corporate business management, dance education, and preschool assistance. She hopes to write about these past lives-and more-from her home in Pittsburgh, PA, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and 3 cats.

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Many folks arrive home from a seaside vacation with at least one addition to the family. Hermit crabs make interesting pets, but it’s good to know ahead of time what’s involved.

Hermit crabs are social creatures and like company. (This isn’t just a sales pitch to buy more; it’s clear that hermit crabs enjoy being near other hermit crabs and communicate with a clicking noise.) Therefore, it’s a good idea to buy more than one. Hermit crabs usually live in cages that are constructed of either plastic or wire mesh. The smallest containers accommodate 2 or 3 hermit crabs, and the largest hold a dozen or more. Plastic containers are good for insulation during the winter, but the wire cages offer climbing opportunities, which hermit crabs seem to enjoy.

Contrary to opinion, it appears that sand irritates the inside of a hermit crab’s shell. Good flooring for the cage bottom is a layer of small colored stones, but some crabs actually prefer an area that is free of any covering.

Hermit crabs like to crawl on special logs from pet supply stores, as well as onto empty shells and hermit crab “huts”. (The empty shells should be of varying sizes, but slightly larger than the crabs. When a hermit crab outgrows its existing shell, it will have alternatives from which to choose a new home.)

A few sopping wet sponges should be scattered around the cage for crabs’ drinking needs, and a small water dish may be provided for bathing opportunities. Hermit crab food can be kept in a small shell or holder and should be changed frequently, although crabs do not eat much. Salad vegetables, fruits and hermit crab treats may be offered daily.

It’s necessary to clean the cage thoroughly once a week to remove excrement and food remnants. The easiest way to do this is to remove everything but the stones, and rinse the cage with running water a few times. Clean the shells and other items as well. While doing so, the crabs may be put into a small water bowl for a short bath, and then be allowed to walk around in a confined area. Should one escape, it will eventually turn up, but possibly a good distance away. (There is even a chance that it may fall down steps and be discovered on a lower floor!) However, most times the hermit crab can be found in a dark corner or under a piece of furniture, since he or she prefers quiet and secluded shelters.

Quickly dunking a hermit crab into water will encourage it to emerge from within its shell. He or she may then climb up one’s palm, arm, or lap, merely tickling the skin. Very rarely will a hermit crab pinch. However, if the hermit crab does pinch and won’t release its grip, dousing the crab with a spray or stream of water will solve the problem.

Hermit crabs are basically nocturnal, so a bedroom may not be the best choice for their cage placement. Where ever hermit crabs live, it should be fairly warm; they appear to be the most active and happy when exposed to a temperature above 70 degrees. In colder weather, it’s advisable to utilize a pet heating lamp or to insulate the hermit crab cage with a cloth.
Hermit crabs are clean, quiet and require little human intervention to keep them healthy. They actually are interesting animals with different personalities, and are amusing to watch while at play with each other. People who don’t have the time or space for cats and dogs may find a pet hermit crab family to be a perfect alternative!