Coconut Crabs & Land Hermit Crabs: Care, Natural History, New Info

[findiviglio]

Hi All,
People are often surprised to learn that Land or Terrestrial Hermit Crabs engage in complex social behaviors, are capable of communicating via “chirps” and, with proper care, may live for over 20 years. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them at home, in zoos and the wild, and have even kept the massive, awe-inspiring Coconut Crab. Please read on to learn about their care and natural history, and be sure to post your own thoughts and experiences. Read article here: Land Hermit Crabs and Coconut Crabs (the world
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Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog
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[Hoppity100]

Oh, good, another hermit crab lover! I've had them for years and have 4 now. They're so darn easy to care for and I like giving them people food like boiled chicken, veggies, fruit, coconut, oatmeal, lettuce, dry cereal, popcorn, peanut butter. I have sand in the bottom and made a playground with pieces of cholla wood and fake plants. They spend most of their time in this area and I have an arched reptile type house they hide in. I also have extra larger shells. I keep their environment somewhat humid and they're more active this way. Their water is spring water, never tap water. I also have commercial crab food.

Once in a while our stores might have a green hermit (legs are avocado color) and these are rare here. They are mostly dark purple and red in 3 stores I shop in. Mine are all about the same size: ping pong ball. Do you have an aquarium with hermits like I do? If so, how many years have you owned them? What is your set up like?

[findiviglio]

Hi, Thanks for the feedback. I've kept them for years at home as you describe, but lately have mainly set them up in zoo exhibits, in conjunction with my work. They get along fine on a wide variety of substrates and, as you mention, foods. They especially like raiding tortoise salads, and also consume leaf litter with gusto. As mentioned in the article, I always keep a shallow bowl of marine water as well...they will live for years w/o this, but over time a lack of salt and other minerals will impact their health. Please keep me posted, enjoy, Frank

[Hoppity100]

Thanks for writing back. Which vitamins do you recommend? And salt? Calcium, too? Thanks again, Nancy

[findiviglio]

Hi, My pleasure.

Please see "Feeding" in the article. There are links fish flakes and cuttlebone (which provide impt vitamins/minerals and to a salt mix that can be added to their water (provide fresh water as well). Please let me know if you need more info, best, Frank

[Hoppity100]

Thank you and I will let you know. I will check out the feeding article, too. Mine always have fresh spring water, never from tap with chlorine. Wish stores would tell customers this, too. I knew because I read about it first. But, thanks!