When venturing into the world of pet ownership, it is very important to know as much as possible about your prospective pet to ensure that it lives a happy and healthy life with you.
The same holds true for owning hermit crabs, especially since not as much is known about them as other popular pets like dogs or cats.
Here are some helpful tips to know as you enter into a partnership with your hermit crab.
These tips are designed to give an overview about these creatures, but further research should be done so you can pet the hermit crab effectively.
Hermit crabs are very playful and entertaining creatures.
They scamper about very quickly and really appreciate some "outdoor" time.
On occasion, you can let the hermit crab out the tank and allow it to run about freely - as long as you are able to catch it when it is time to return to the tank! Exercise is good for this creature, and its level of activity can easily help you determine whether or not the hermit crab is healthy or ill.
As with many other types of crab, hermit crabs like to climb.
Outfitting the tank with climbing objects like rocks, stumps or even Legos would be a great idea, especially in a tank with more than one hermit crab.
You can actually watch them playing for hours.
Also important to the hermit crab is having a range of different sized shells for them to try on for size.
As they grow, they will need to abandon the old shell and replace it with a better fitting one.
Having them on hand in the tank eliminates the stress that usually occurs when hermit crabs cannot identify suitable shell replacements.
One of the most important tips on hermit crabs is that they like their dwelling to have the ideal temperature and humidity levels.
Keep a hygrometer and thermometer inside or nearby the tank so the humidity and temperature can be readily monitored.
Adjustments will need to be made if the tank is too hot, cool, dry or moist.
Hermit crabs also like to dig, tunnel and hide.
To do any of these activities, they will need enough substrate, or digging material in the tank.
Because they are a little fragile, hermit crabs dig best in beach or playing sand.
Plus, that is the kind of surface they are accustomed to in their natural habitat.
Do not use gravel and stones as substrate for hermit crabs, as they will not be able to dig through it.
To accompany the right substrate, ensure that there are two containers of water in the tank - one with saltwater and the other with de-chlorinated freshwater that the hermit crabs drink.
Both types of water are essential to a healthy hermit crab, so make sure they are changed daily to avoid infection from bacteria.
Hermit crabs also have healthy appetites and will usually fully consume a meal.
However, if there happens to be leftovers after dinnertime, remove them immediately to prevent possible infection from bacteria.
This is the end of our run-through on hermit crabs.
Hopefully, this little lesson has provided you with enough intrigue and information to allow you to consider owning one as your pet.
Remember, when you identify the one you like, do as much research as possible to ensure you know just how to keep it healthy and alive.