About Hermit Crabs
Hermit Crabs…What are they and Where do I find one?
Hermit crabs are growing in popularity in the marine aquarium trade, bringing hundreds of little critters to our list of must-have pets, especially for the little people in our lives. But what exactly is a hermit crab? Is it a crab like one finds at the beach? Quite contrary to what many believe they are not related to crabs that we see at the beach.
Here is a brief description using a scientific and a more common explanation:
They are decapod crustaceans, which means an aquatic arthropod that is characteristic of having five pairs of moving limbs that are each joined to a segment of the middle region of the body between the head and abdomen. Although it seems possible, these little creatures are not related to the true crab family. The difference is that the true crab family is characterized by a small and short abdomen which is bent up beneath the large cephalo-thorax (head and thorax combined). The hermit crab has a long, soft abdomen that spirals into a hooked tail and must be protected by a shell.
Over five hundred species of hermit crabs are said to exist in the world, most of which are aquatic in nature and few that are terrestrial. So where do you find one? Let’s first understand that because there are several species of hermit crabs it is important to know which type can be kept in captivity. The best type, the one seen kept as a household pet, is the land hermit crab, scientifically known as Coenobita clypeatus. You can either purchase them at your local pet store or take a walk on a beach in the western Atlantic region. Intertidal areas or tidal pools, where plankton count is high, are also a great place to search for your new shell friend.
Can I own a hermit crab as a pet?
Knowing how to care for a hermit crab is the foundation to answering this question. If you can provide a safe and happy home (tank and shells to grow in) and an adequate food and water supply then I say you most likely can. However, supplying a home and nutritional supplies is not all there is to providing the perfect home for your new hermit friend. Let us discuss the needs of the crab:
Temperature and humidity are a must for this creature. Temperatures should stay within the range of 72-80°F most all the time. If the temperature should drop below 72°F on a regular basis then your happy crab could turn weak, stressed and ill. Humidity range needs to be 70-80% relative. These little crabs breathe through gills and in order to receive adequate air supply the air they breathe must not be dry, or they will suffocate.
Providing a safe and happy environment for them is just as important. You must be able to provide a substrate, a tank, a few different size shells (for growing), a molting tank, water dish, and a salt water pool for submerging.
If you can provide all of the above and are willing to spend time and energy into your new hermie than I say you are ready to gain that responsibility.
