Hermit crabs are undoubtedly interesting creatures. There’s no wonder many people want to keep them as pets.
Many assume that all hermit crabs live underwater, but there are some land hermit crabs that you can keep in your terrarium.
These terrestrial hermit crabs look kind of cute and display an interesting set of behaviors.
But before you get these crustaceans, you should learn a lot about land hermit crab care. Are they easy or hard to take care of?
Let’s go through some basic hermit crab requirements; we’ll also give you some good options to get for your terrarium.
Read on!
Land Hermit Crabs
Terrestrial hermit crabs fall under the family Coenobitidae, which involves the genus Coenobita and the species Birgus latro, commonly known as the coconut crab.
There are a total of 17 species of terrestrial hermit crabs under the genus Coenobita, most of which are commonly kept as pets.
The most fascinating behavior of hermit crabs – and what gives them their name – is how they inhabit the abandoned shells of mollusks and make them their home.
They have soft exoskeleton in their underbelly and need the protection of the hard shell they find.
Land hermit crabs still need constant access to water. Keep reading and learn more about hermit crab tank requirements.
Land Hermit Crab Care
The first question you may be asking is “Are hermit crabs hard to take care of?”
Well, a terrestrial hermit crab is not your average pet – they need conditions that mimic their natural habitat, which is difficult to maintain.
Even if you do your level best, you may not give them the most optimal home. In fact, the lifespan of captive hermit crabs is significantly lower compared to the wild ones.
Moreover, it is next to impossible to breed hermit crabs in captivity, which means they need to be captured from the wild – not exactly a good thing for the wild population.
Land Hermit Crab Requirements
They may be terrestrial but these hermit crabs still need access to water, both freshwater and saltwater.
First, they need water to drink, which is true for any pet other than fish (for obvious reasons). Also, these crabs – with the exception of coconut crabs – breathe through gills that need to be moist all the time.
They can carry water in their shells to act sort of like an oxygen tank, allowing them to stay out of water for a prolonged period.
As for the saltwater, they need access to it as well as freshwater for osmoregulation.
Make sure your freshwater and saltwater pools are deep enough for your hermit crabs to be fully submersed. Despite popular belief, they don’t need a sponge in the water, which will only lead to the growth of bacteria.
However, it is important to ensure that your pet crustaceans can easily climb out of the pools so that they are not stuck there.
Use marine salt when setting up the saltwater pool, not table salt, which contains iodine – something toxic to hermit crabs.
In addition to having constant access to water, hermit crabs also require a high humidity of 80%.
As for tank size, you generally need a minimum of 10 gallons per crab, depending on the size of the species.
For the substrate, you can use play sand and coco fiber at a ratio of 5:1. Do not use calcium sand. It should be at least 6 inches deep – enough for your hermit crabs to bury themselves, which they sometimes like to do.
Moving on to what they eat, hermit crabs have a highly versatile diet; they can eat everything from eggs, fruits, veggies, seeds and nuts, to spirulina. You will have no trouble feeding them.
Another thing to watch out for is that, like most crustaceans, hermit crabs molt their exoskeleton from time to time. During molting, they would often bury themselves to feel safe.
As they molt and grow, they may discard their old shell because it is too small. It will be up to you to give them a new shell.
It will be an interesting moment for any hermit crab keeper – it’ll be kind of like selecting a dress for your daughter’s prom.
Hermit crabs are really picky too when it comes to selecting a shell; it has to look and feel right, and must be the right size. So you should give them numerous options to choose from.
You can go for any shape or color, but avoid giving them painted shells as they might be toxic. Give them shells with slightly bigger opening sizes than the one they discarded – it is the size of the opening that matters.
Here’s one more thing about land hermit crab care: hermit crabs are social creatures, so keep them in groups if possible. Being solitary can stress them and reduce their lifespan even further.
Best Terrestrial Hermit Crab Species for You
Strawberry Land Hermit Crab
Even their name is appealing – the strawberry hermit crab is one of the cutest pets you can get for your terrarium.
True to their name, they have an attractive reddish-orange color dotted with white spots.
While they may look pretty, they are not exactly easy to care for, which is true for most hermit crabs.
They require a temperature of 80 °F and a humidity of 80%. You can always see them doing something since they’re very active, especially at night.
Caribbean Hermit Crab
You can bring a bit of the Caribbean to your home by getting the Caribbean hermit crab, which is one of the most commonly sold terrestrial hermit crab species in the US as pets.
They also go by other names such as Soldier Crab and Purple Pincher (due to their purple claws).
The Caribbean hermit crab has a lifespan of 12 years, so it is certainly a pet that will be with you for the long term.
They like to inhabit the shells of the West Indian top snail, which sports a beautiful black and white pattern.
Pacific Hermit Crab
Also known as the Ecuadorian hermit crab, this is the other commonly sold land hermit crab in the US alongside Caribbean hermit crab.
They are one of the smallest terrestrial hermit crabs you can find, measuring just 12mm in length. That means you don’t need a big terrarium to house them.
While tan is the commonest color, they also come in beautiful bright orange, yellow, and dark grey, and sometimes with a blue or green tint.
Some Final Thoughts
Land hermit crabs are not exactly easy pets, but they have an exotic appearance and are totally worth it.
The fact that they can inhabit shells of any shape and color only adds to their aesthetic appeal.
While we have given you some good options, there are many species out there that’ll be ideal occupants for your ‘crabitat’.
You may be thinking of getting coconut crabs as pets, but it is not a good idea. First, they are huge and require a big tank. Second, they are listed as a vulnerable species in the wild. Lastly, their claws are so powerful that they can easily snap your fingers off!
Good luck with creating an amazing terrarium for your terrestrial hermit crabs.
Thanks for reading.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit_crab
https://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Hermit-Crab-Food-And-Water-a/147.htm
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/land-hermit-crab
