Hermit crab pets are considered exotic. By exotic we generally mean rare and not easy to find, but the fact is that while few people keep them as pets, they are available in large numbers. These crabs belong to the ‘Paguroidea’ family and are omnivorous or herbivorous, meaning they will eat anything. There are also terrestrial and aquatic species. Aquatic ones are good if you have a fish tank, as they are useful as scavengers for algae and debris. Land crabs are the ones normally kept as pets. Before deciding on a hermit crab as a pet, you should learn all about them. Below is information on the pros and cons of owning this interesting animal to help you get started.
Advantages:
A pet hermit crab requires very little maintenance. This means that the owner does not need to constantly feed or care for them like other pets. They are very cheap to keep as they do not eat much and need little shelter.
A small fish tank will work perfectly for your pet hermit crab. Make sure you have enough sand for them to burrow to molt and a variety of shells larger than the ones they live in.
They do not take up a lot of space or require a certain type of area.
I’ve never heard of a pet hermit crab eating someone’s slipper.
They don’t make any kind of sound.
You don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to let them out.
These pets are very cheap. You can buy a complete set for crabs with 2 crabs, cage, sand, shells, food and water dishes, climbing tree, etc. for $30
They make great pets for kids to help teach them responsibility. If they forget to take care of them, as children are in the habit of doing, it’s no big deal for a parent to do.
Pet hermit crabs can fit into your busy lifestyle. A couple of minutes a day will take care of most of your needs. His cage will only need a thorough cleaning once a month.
Cons:
Hermit crab pets are not interactive. There is a lack of “bonding” compared to other pets. It’s like having fish where you won’t be able to do much more than look at them. though they will crawl in your hand.
They will need a good substrate so that they can burrow into it to molt. Wet sand is fine, but gravel is not so good as they cannot be buried very easily.
Although many of the hermit crab species die in a short time, there are exceptions. For example, some species can live up to 23 years if properly maintained and some have been reported to have lived for more than 32 years.
Although they are fairly low maintenance, their homes need regular cleaning or they can start to smell bad.
Your pet crabs require warm, humid conditions. They should have relatively high humidity, so they may need to be misted with water or have a large damp sponge in your home.
Chlorine should always be removed from water that comes into contact with your pet crab.
Your pet will need to have its food and water dishes changed daily and any uneaten fruit or vegetables removed.
They are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. This drastically cuts down on viewing time, as they mostly stay in their shells during the day.
Each pet hermit crab will need its own shell. Be sure to provide several different types and sizes of shells. The shells form a protective covering for their soft abdomens. You need to make sure to provide larger shells for the crabs as they outgrow the current ones.
Hermit crabs as pets make unusual but interesting companions and are easy to care for. They are curious about their surroundings, have distinct personalities, and are also active. These traits will provide an interesting display. The fact that they are relatively low maintenance adds to the appeal of keeping them as a pet. This means that if you don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for your pet but are looking for an interesting one, they will fill the bill. Although you can’t walk or play fetch with them, they make great pets for kids, since their friends probably won’t have one. They are the perfect show and tell the theme for the school. They are easy to feed and care for so kids can do it on their own. All in all, a hermit crab as a pet is the perfect choice for the whole family.
Don Levy Hermit Crabs Wikipedia-Hermit Crabs
