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Our Hermit Crabs - what they need

They can live 30yrs plus if well looked after, most die because of lack of care, strict humidity and temperature control is required or they suffocate, get too cold or over heat.

I use to keep marine fish and had red legged hermits, and always loved watching them, having land hermits is even better and much easier to keep then a marine tank.

The size of the tank you use is as big as you want it to be, they don't need lots of space, just lots of climbing room and places to hide, as long as you have room for a fresh water dish, a sea water dish and food dish you can't go too wrong.

Our tank is about 2.5 feet long, its really a gerbilarium, so its got 3 shelves init, which gives room for lots of climbing.

If you find your crabs are quiet, you might find its because its a little busy and noisy where you have them, the flashing from the TV or your shadow as you pass betwwen the tank and a lamp is enough to keep them hiding, we moved ours to the bedroom, they tend to come out more at night anyways, we see so much of them now, we watch them bath, eat climb, change shells, its great.

We need to keep lots of empty shells for them of all different sizes, some we got from pets at home, others we ordered of the net, either ebay or on line pets sites, Land Hermit crab keeping is huge in the USA so they have lots of stuff we can't get here in the UK so we tend to order in bulk every 6 months or so.

Dietry Needs

Fresh foods and treats you can try include

• mango
• papaya
• coconut (fresh or dried)
• apples
• applesauce
• bananas
• grapes
• pineapple
• strawberries
• melons
• carrots
• spinach
• watercress
• leafy green lettuces (not iceberg/head lettuce)
• broccoli
• Grass
• leaves and strips of bark from deciduous trees (no conifers)
• nuts (unsalted nuts)
• peanut butter (occasionally)
• raisins
• seaweed (found in some health food and grocery stores for wrapping sushi)
• crackers (no or low salt)
• unsweetened cereals
• plain rice cakes
• popcorn (plain, air popped, can be given occasionally)
• cooked eggs, meats and seafood (in moderation)
• freeze dried shrimp and plankton (found in the fish food section at the pet store)
• brine shrimp
• fish food flakes

We also buy Food pellets, from the USA they do a peanut butter pellet which they love.