Caring For Your Pet Land Hermit Crab

Although not the first kind of pet to come to mind to snuggle up with like a cat or a dog

, the land hermit crab is quickly becoming one of the most popular household pets. The land hermit crab gives hours of enjoyment in viewing their terrarium and watching them congregate in their clan.

The land hermit crab can be the perfect pet since it is odorless, virtually disease free, and a good choice for those who have allergies to dogs and cats. Be sure to consider bringing home at least a pair if not 3 or 4 land hermit crabs, as these little guys are very social animals and it will greatly reduce the stress of your hermit crabs.

There are many reasons why the land hermit crab makes a fantastic and unique pet. Due to the fact they have no shell and a soft exposed abdomen, unlike regular crabs, the land hermit crab must seek out and borrow a shell to carry on their back at all times to avoid predation.

As with any other kind of pet, the land hermit crab does require a certain level of care. You might think that levels of interaction is not necessary on your part, but it is important to interact with these hermit crabs on a daily basis. When you do, you will see a difference in the stress levels of your hermit crab.

Feeding your land hermit crab and adhering to a proper diet is relatively easy. To start, you will want to purchase some commercial hermit crab food at your local pet store that comes in pellet form. You will also want to feed your land hermit crab an assortment of fresh and nutritious foods like frozen shrimp, fresh raw vegetables, and fruits and even meat. Be sure to focus on foods for your land hermit crab that are high in carotene, such as carrots.

Your land hermit crab is a smart creature and is aware of its surroundings. You will not only want to provide a wholesome diet for your little guys, but you will want to provide an aquarium at least ten gallons for two hermit crabs, and upwards of 30 to 40 gallons for multiple land hermit crabs. Because land hermit crabs are very social creatures, you will want to ensure you have at least 2 to 3 hermit crabs, or more if you can.

Land hermit crabs are also unique in that they molt as they grow. This is due to the natural process of the land hermit crab shedding their exoskeleton to grow a new and larger skeleton. During these periods, it is best to feed your land hermit crab foods rich in calcium to assist in the exoskeleton growth process. Foods rich in calcium include cuttlebone, which can be found at your local pet store in the bird section, or at your grocery store. You will want to provide plenty of ocean salt water and fresh dechlorinated water to your land hermit crab during this molting period.

Lastly, offering your hermit crabs with a wide variety of shells to graduate to is very important. You will want to provide a good selection based on size, opening shape, and colors. There are always good selections of land hermit crab shells online, or you can visit your local pet store.

Taking the time to properly care for your land hermit crabs will ensure a long and happy life for your crabs.

by: Jessica Peloski

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