Most hermit crabs purchased in pet stores and shell shops are land crabs, collected from tropical area beaches. In order for these little pets to survive, the crab habitat must contain certain elements of their native area.
Choosing a Hermit Crab Tank
Although most hermit crabs arrive in their new home in a small plastic or wire cage, they cannot survive for long in these containers. They are not designed to maintain the heat or humidity levels crabs need and don't allow for the crabs' favorite activities which are climbing and digging.
Glass aquariums make ideal hermit crab habitats, especially since these pets are very social and should be housed in groups of at least two or three. Choose a tank that is deep enough to allow the crab to bury itself completely, which is necessary for molting. Ideally, a hermit crab tank should also have a tight-fitting glass or screen lid since these little pets love to climb and tend to be escape artists.
Hermit Crab Bedding
The bedding or 'substrate' that is most natural and healthy for land hermit crabs is a mixture of sand and soil, bark, peat moss or other moisture-holding substance. Sand alone dries out far too quickly. A product like Bed-a-Beast, made from coconut shells and sold in pet stores, mixes well with sand, stays moist, and resists mold.
The use of salt water (see next section) instead of fresh water to moisten the bedding helps prevent mites which can sometimes occur in hermit crab tanks. When ready for its new inhabitants, the tank substrate should be wet to the touch, all the way to the bottom, and should be at least an inch-and-a-half deep. Keeping a spray bottle of salt water on hand is an easy way to maintain vital moisture in the tank at all times.
Hermit Crabs Need Salt
The biggest mistake new pet hermit crab owners make is not including salt in their crab tank setup. Hermit crab 'kits' often sold in pet stores and shell shops do not typically include salt and most don't even mention it. But, because these little pets typically lived in salt marshes, it is vital for their survival that they have access to both salted and fresh water at all times. Fortunately, there is no trick to this. Mix one teaspoon of iodine-free salt (often sold in pet stores as 'hermit crab salt') with one cup of water until dissolved.
Hermit crab water dishes should be plastic or stone since land crabs are highly sensitive to metal. Place a half inch of dechlorinated salt and fresh water in two dishes and place at opposite ends of the tank. Placing a small natural sea sponge in the center of each dish will help ensure that even small crabs can climb out if they happen to fall in.
How to Feed Hermit Crabs
Wild hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plant matter. The pelleted commercial food sold in pet stores and on line is a good place to start, but hermit crabs do best with some fresh food, too. Most types of fruits and vegetables are safe for hermit crabs, as well as grains such as rice and crackers. Crushed egg shells or a powdered calcium supplement can help meet the little crustaceans' need for calcium, especially during molting.
All uneaten food, whether fresh or pelleted, should be removed daily and the food dish cleaned.
Finally, when their physical needs are met, hermit crabs are active creatures. Providing climbing materials in the tank, such as twigs, cups, or even paper towel tubes can be entertaining for the crabs and their owners.
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