So, my mom wanted me to make my Christmas list. So I've been trying to think of things and I remembered that I've always wanted a hermit crab. But my mom always said no because she didn't want to buy them . And thank God I didn't at the time because I had no clue of the things they needed!! After doing some research, I've saw that they need alot more than just a tank and a water bowl. So, I ' m trying to finish up my list for my mom. Here are things I have put already (for the hermit crab only)
A 10 gallon tank
2 hermit crabs
sand
1 hermit crab water bowl
Small igloo thing for them to hide in
Food
A branch thing for them to climb on
And that's all I put so far. What else will they need?
Here are some more questions i have
1.I read on some sites that they need baths. Do they? If they do, how do I do this?
2.How can I keep the tank 72 degrees? I read to get a heater, but it can't be like really expensive because im on a budget.
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3. How many bowls do I need? What do they need in them and what are the things in them for?
4. Do they drink from the water bowls or from a sponge? I read that they drink from the sponge. Is it just a regular cleaning sponge or a certain sponge? Links and pictures would be great? And would I put the sponge in a water bowl? or do I just get it damp when I put it in the tank?
5. How many times per day should I feed them?
6. What are some food ideas other than just the same food everyday? What can they eat and what should I keep them away from?
7. Any name ideas? I like funny names that kind of go together with each other like how Rob Dyrdek named his 2 dogs Meaty and Beefy, and how he named Drama's mice Swissy and Cheesy. I was thinking of maybe Buff & Chunk ( like ones buff and ones chunky? haha)
8. I read they need to be sprayed with Luke Warm water every now and then? How many times per day?
That's all for now. Please try to answer all of these with as much detail as possible!! And give some caretaking advice to!
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Thanks! I have about 2 months to do research on them and stuff so I can be the best Hermit Crab owner I can be (and trust me I will be doing research because thats how i pass the time until Christmas when I'm really excited about something!! haha)
You can use calcium sand, but I recommend using the soil instead (the type used for reptiles). Hermits love to dig, and the soil makes it easier for them to do this.
An undertank heater will help keep them warm if your house drops below normal room temperature. They are not expensive, just put it under one side of the tank opposite the water bowl.
Many hermit crab species like having a shallow bowl of saltwater in which to "bathe" in. Place a sponge in both fresh and salt water bowls (unless the species you get does not require a saltwater bath). Use dechlorinated water for them.
Feed them once a day, preferrably at night since they are noctournal. It is best to supplement the regular powdered hermit crab diet with fresh fruits and veggies, also offered at night. Just don't give them anything weird like onions, stay in the range of apples, greens, shredded carrots, etc.
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Hermit crabs like a humid environment, so misting them occasionally with freshwater will help keep the substrate moist and the humidity up. You can get a hygrometer to measure the humidity if you feel you need it.
All hermit crabs need is a tank , some sand or gravel, a small food bowl, a small water bowl, and a sponge. Everything else is extra things that aren't necessary.
1. They don't really need baths. You can give them a bath twice to three times a week if you want. Just take a plastic container and fill it with luke warm water about a centimeter deep and soak them for a few minuets. If the water is too deep the hermit crabs can drown.
2. The tank will generally stay at 73 degrees, just be extra careful in the winter. Put the cage it the warmest place in the house and keep them away from windows. You can even bring the cage in the bathroom with you when you shower . They love the humidity.
3. You need two bowls, one for food and one for water. I use clam shells and they work fine.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com 4. You use a sea sponge. A bathing sponge works too, just cut it to make it smaller. They use both the water bow and the sponge to get water.
5. You feed them a pinch or food per crab per day. They eat very little so don't be worried if it seems like they are not eating.
6. They eat anything. Oily food and junk food is good in moderation as a snack. They love fruit.
7. My hermit crabs are named after fruit. I have strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, peach, and pansy (that is the only one that isn't a fruit)
8. Spray them once to twice a day, anymore than that is not good for them.
Enjoy your pets
