'Hermit Crab Care'

KateyBate (66.227.233.47) -

We have had a variety of different hermit crabs, some from the local per store, and others my aunt gave us from California. Our longest pair lived just 6 months. The kids really liked them and we'd like to get some more, but want to know how best to care for them as what we were doing apparently didn't work.

Comment #1 Courtney (1) from The South -

I have not had a hermit crab before, but I had a friend as a child that had one. Hers lived forever, but it got out of the tank all of the time. Scary, it wound up in her moms water bed one time and poked a hole in it. Bye bye water bed. I am thinking about getting one, but I am sure mine would die too.

Comment #2 tokay from tokay village -

I hate trying to take care of herbit crabs. I am not a big fan but can manage to keep them alive. The biggest thing to remember is that they need a humid environment to survive. They need fresh chlorine free water as well as salt water. Also you need different sized shells for them to transer to when they start to grow.

Comment #3 snakelover from ask me -

I couldn't keep those things alive. I hated those things as pets. All they did was crawl around the cage and you never knew when one was dead until it started to stink.

Comment #4 Odie from the dog house -

Be careful when you think they are dead. I was told that they go dormant for a little bit and people think they are dead when in fact they are very much alive.

Comment #5 tokay from tokay village -

Yep I have had that happen once. I was about to chunk it when it started to move around. Sometimes they are like that. If you are in doubt sit the hermit crab in the shallow dish of water and if it is alive it will start to move again.

Comment #6 Lisa (71.172.224.47) -

I never had a crab I want to learn more about them, I would want one or two.

Comment #7 alexis (70.152.45.121) -

i had hermits but they require a lot of care they need baths salt water baths salt drinking water (aquirum salt ) reqular bottled water fresh food (commerical kills them) friends it is a lot of work oh and they need exercise

Comment #8 Wondering Erika (216.49.100.51) -

Yo peeps! I want 2 kno if i should try 2 get hermit crabs! Do they stink @ all? Plz reply!

Comment #9 Therese (208.104.253.166) -

Hermit crabs are easy to care for. A few suggestions: Once a week, you need to submerge them in water for exactly one minute. Pour tap water into an open container, and in 3 days it is safe for them (the chlorine will evaporate). When they molt, don't take away their old shell as they will eat them for the calcium. Good luck!

Comment #10 babygirl (64.30.63.86) -

we might be getting hermit crabs soon though i need help finding out what they like

Comment #11 Ashley (98.224.225.106) -

DO NOT BATHE THEM!!! It stresses them out and most hermit crabs sold are CarribeanTree Crabs and they won't go into water above their shells. If you bathe them it can result in death, loss of limbs, or issues molting. They're fun little creatures, but they are a lot of work. My hermit, Godzilla, is a little escape artist. You need to keep the cage humid and warm. Please don't get a a hermie unless you know what you're getting into. They're more work then they seem to be. Also remember that they need to live in groups. The more the better.

Comment #12 ShailynSmall (99.252.172.159) - Mon Jun 30 14:56:04 2008

You Can Sooooooo Bath a Hermit Crab all you Do is Submerge Them In a Small Amount Of Water For A Couple Of Seconds, Take Them Out And Then Do It Again. LET THEMM AIRR DRYY!!!!!!!!!

Comment #13 Frannie (76.113.226.201) - Wed Aug 6 02:48:08 2008

Can I put any other animals with my 3 hermies?

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