Common Name – Hermit Crab (Hermes)
Scientific Name –________________
Order – Decapoda Superfamily: Paguroidea
Care, feeding and handling guidelines are researched and outlined by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums, United States Fish and Wildlife and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
General Information:
Size: Hermit crab species range in size and shape, from species with a carapace only a few millimetres long to the Coconut crab that can have a leg span of up three feet.
Lifespan: Well cared for hermit crabs can live for 10+ years.
Wild Habitat: Most species are aquatic and live in varying depths of salt water, from shallow reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms. Tropical areas host some terrestrial species, though even those have aquatic larvae and therefore need access to water for reproduction. A few species do not use a "mobile home" and inhabit immobile structures left by polychaete worms, vermetid gastropods, corals, and sponges.
Diet: Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter.
Indigenous Habitat: Land hermit crabs of many different species are found in tropical areas of the Indo-region, the western Atlantic, and the western Caribbean. They live close to the shoreline and must have access to land and water. There are also entirely aquatic species of hermit crabs.
Home Habitat: Despite their name, hermit crabs are social animals! They love having friends are to hang out with, so never have only one. 10 gallon aquarium minimum with mesh and glass lids. Hermit crabs need to be able to tunnel under the surface in order to find a safe place to grow (molt). The best substrate for doing this is actually a mix of 80% common play sand and 20% cocofiber - wet the mixture with marine salt water until it is sand-castle consistency. At least four inches of substrate is necessary, with more needed if you have really big crabs. The best type of heating for hermit crabs are heat pads. You will need both a temperature gauge and a humidity gauge. Temperature needs to be kept between 73 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity needs to be at least 75 because hermit crabs’ gills can’t work if they are not moist. Hermit crabs need access to two types of water to thrive. One is FRESH water. If you are using chlorinated tap water, you will need to buy a dechlorinating product to take out the harmful trace metals. The second is marine salt water, made with either “Instant Ocean” or “Oceanic.” DO NOT use table salt. This is poisonous to hermit crabs. Provide both waters separately, in dishes deep enough so that your biggest crab can fully submerge, but with an exit, such as a branch or rock, so that your smallest crab can get out. For a well rounded diet, they need to be regularly supplied with a variety of fresh (or dehydrated) fruits or vegetables, grains (like plain oats, cooked wheat pasta, whole grain rice), meat (small pieces of unseasoned or salted human grade fish, poultry, or beef), other proteins (freshly dead crickets, mealworms, or krill from a pet store), dried or fresh leaves and flowers (that have never been exposed to pesticides), unsalted nuts, and seaweed. You can experiment with extras to feed your hermit crabs, just be sure that whatever you try it is all-natural, preservative, pesticide and salt/seasoning free. Hermit crabs need extra shells to change into and bigger shells to row into. It is easiest to find proper hermit crab shells online.
(https://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ThinkTank/Animals/LandHermitCrab/)
Recommended max time for handling: 30 minutes
Temperature Range: 45o F – 75/80o F
Transport: Large to Extra Large kennel cab lined with paper, CHUX and a crate cover to decrease stress for transporting to/from veterinarian or any other location. <45o F hot water bottle wrapped in towel MUST be placed in kennel. >75o F place a towel wrapped frozen water bottle in kennel.
Restraint: Hold gently in both hands- scoop one arm under body to support weight/length.
Handling: Can become used to being touched; but do NOT touch head as this will cause stress.
Signs of Stress: Biting, struggling/wiggling to get away, growling, grunting, teeth-chattering, urinating.
Vocalization: Barking, grunting, chirping and growling.
Interesting Facts: The shell-less hermit crab Birgus latro (coconut crab) is the world's largest terrestrial invertebrate. Of the 1100+ species of hermit crabs, only about 15 species are land hermit crabs.
Animal adoption saves millions, contact a local shelter to adopt today:
House Rabbit Society at www.Rabbit.org
Bunny Lu’s Adaption at www.bunnylu.org
For questions or concerns you may have about your pets or where to adopt contact The Bunny Hutch at Info@TheBunnyHutch.ORG or call (866) 488-4248.
The Bunny Hutch (EIN 46-4724911) is a Not For Profit dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through exotic and domestic species adoption, conservation, education, innovation and leadership.
Share with your friends: |
