Land hermit crabs can eat fish flakes and various other fish foods, like bloodworms, krill, or algae wafers. These foods, however, should not be the only food that a hermit crab is fed. Hermit crabs need a wider variety of food than most fish, though they do have certain favorites in common. One of the best places I know of to find shells in a specific size is Naples Sea Shell Company. If you aren't sure what size to buy, you can even email them for help!

Hermit crabs are nocturnal, so they are never going to be as active as cats or dogs. However, there are several things you can do to promote activity. First, you must start with healthy land crabs and a warm environment. Second, water induces activity in the form of bathing or misting. And third, make their habitat a playground setting with a dry bottom medium and plenty of coral, driftwood, sea fans and lava rock for climbing and exploring.Back to Top See similar questions...

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In the continental United States, there is only one native species of land hermit crab, the purple pincher, or C. clypeatus. Most people do not consider that species, at least, exotic. However, many people do refer to less commonly found species, like strawberries (C. perlatus) or indos (C. brevimanus) as exotics - and since they're not found natively in the US, they are! See similar questions...

They do mate, in a manner of speaking, but they cannot breed in captivity, so this should not be a major concern for hermit crab owners. When hermit crabs mate, the male hermit crab positions the female hermit crab in front of him and passes spermatophore packets into her gonopores, where the female hermit crab's eggs are fertilized. In the wild when a female hermit crab is ready to release her eggs, she releases them into the ocean. See similar questions...

Hermit crabs do have blood of a sort, but it is not like mamallian blood because their physiology is so different. It is very unlikely you'll ever see blood on your hermit crab because any time a wound is bad enough that it doesn't quickly clot, the hermit crab tends to drop the wounded limb to avoid bleeding to death. See similar questions...

Mites can certainly be hard to get rid of. The most common method is to completely remove any substrate, and very thoroughly clean the crab tank, especially any corners or trim where they may be hiding. Substrate should be temporarily replaced by a thin layer of sand or another inorganic substance. See similar questions...

Like humans, all hermit crabs are going to like different things, but here are some of our crabs' favorites: natural honey, raisins, sweet potatoes, tahini (sesame seed paste), rose petals, shrimp, and coconut. They are also big fans of freeze dried crickets and krill. See similar questions...

Both. While it is fascinating to watch their antics, it is equally exciting to gently handle hermit crabs and eventually have them respond to you. Just like other pets, hermit crabs become familiar with their owner's voice and touch. They have been known to eat out of their owner's palms, ride on their shoulders and come out of their shell when called. Shy crabs have been trained with frequent misting. Each day they come out looking for their showers.Back to Top See similar questions...

Yes, aquarium sand (as opposed to aquarium gravel) makes a very good substrate for hermit crabs. It does tend to be expensive though, so if you do want to use aquarium sand, you may want to buy some play sand from your local hardware store as well, and mix them together, especially if you have a large tank! See similar questions...

It isn't easy to tell whether hermit crabs are male or female. The only real distinguishing outward feature, the gonopores found on female hermit crabs, are usually hidden by the shell a hermit crab is wearing. If your hermit crab stretches very far out of its shell, though, they may be visible. See similar questions...

All hermit crabs are going to have different favorites, but our hermit crabs really love sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, peas, and eggplant. See similar questions...

A hermit is a person who lives apart from society. Traditionally, this has meant living alone and self-sufficiently, but not always. The word "hermit" is derived from the Greek eremia for "desert," in reference to the Desert Fathers of the fourth century; and eremos came to mean solitary. The Latin equivalent is solitarius. See similar questions...

There are various explanations for this. Hermit Crabs could lose their claws if their habitat becomes arid or dry, or if they become dirty. Adding water-filled sponges in there water dish and misting crabs, along with twice-weekly baths and daily drinking water will help an arid environment. While you should fell sympathy for the crab, do not worry, because the leg or claw will be regenerated during the next molting phase. However never intentionally remove a claw from your crab. See similar questions...

There are two types of land hermit crabs sold as pets in the United States. One is the Caribbean Hermit Crab (purple pincher/ Coenobita clypeatus) which are more commonly found in the Caribbean and is nicknamed for its purple colored pincher. They primarily drink fresh water, although they can drink salt water, and they live inland, away from the shore. The other type of Hermit Crab is the Ecuadorian Crab( Eccie/ Coenobita compressus). See similar questions...

The European green crab, a species that is non-indigenous to Alaska and one that has not yet been detected in Prince William Sound, is edible, but since the crabs are small, picking the meat out is tedious. See similar questions...

In every religious tradition, the individual has been advised to withdraw within the self, separate from the world, in order to achieve inner peace, if not insight. What has differed among these religious cultures is the degree to which this inwardness is permitted, even cultivated. Eastern cultures have encouraged, respected, even admired the decision to become a hermit. In the West, the primacy of social and external life has often opposed or put strictures and sanctions on hermits. See similar questions...