Hermit Crab Drama!

[CritterHill]

Put the gun away WisconsinChick! They aren't even my crabs!

I'm just watching them over the summer for a friend.

 

[CritterHill]

jjthink - I had no idea crabs had personality until I picked these guys up a month or so ago! They are fascinating to watch!

Not as fascinating as chickens though...

 

[WisconsinChick]

Quote:
How bout chou take a chil-laxative! I just wanted to inform everyone so less people would be making the mistake of buying them.

 

[Sarree]

Just a little tip about hermit crabs that I found out by accident:

I had the large black millipedes in the same tank as my hermit crabs and the millipedes are supposed to have chalk to eat, well I found out that the hermit crabs absolutly love the chalk!!!! they ate the whole thing. Ive had them many years so it must be something they crave. i always make sure they have some and they eat it more than their regular food. Just regular chalkboard white chalk, I wouldn't use the colored kind.

Sarree

 

[Emzyyy]

I never knew they ate chalk?!
Ours liked eating fruits and veggy's though.

 

[CritterHill]

Ok, WisconsinChick, I'll bite.

What makes it inhumane to keep them again? Was it the fact that they are guaranteed a well balanced diet, never to starve to death, permanent access to clean water and safety from predators?

I understand that we can't replicate the ocean environment well enough to breed. But I don't see how that makes it inhumane to keep them as pets.

You should SEE some of the tanks people have set up. Veritable crab amusement parks! I have a climbing wall, caves, branches, and two pools in my measly 10 gallon. Some of these habitats are multi-level amazing!

ETA: ps - I am actually trying to get information from you. I truly don't understand it so please try to explain what I am missing.

I did link to this discussion from the hermit crab forum, but as I said, so little traffic there. I am hoping one of the experts from that forum can show up and help clear this up.

 

[americana-chick]

they both should be fine, i have had this happen befor, the pincher grows back, and if they dont like the shell they are in, they move.

 

[Half-a-dozen]

hope all goes well with the hermit crabs for you.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

What kind of hermit crabs are they? I have saltwater hermits and i've found several out of their shells before. What must've happened was "Big Guy" was interested in "Little Guy"'s shell. Sometimes this happens and they can either fight or switch shells. Don't worry about the claw on little guy. For crabs and shrimp they can grow back after they molt. It may take one molt to several. As people who've already posted have said, make sure there is plenty of space and empty shells.

 

[Guitartists]

Every so often they moult by crawling out of their shell, burying themselves in the sand and eventually coming back out of the sand and taking a new shell.

Yes, they are all wild caught

I did not know this until AFTER we acquired some. I would take mine back to the ocean in heartbeat if I could!

They must NEVER be given tap water unless it has sat out for the chlorine to evaporate. It builds up in their body and kills them eventually

Anyhow, http://www.hermit-crabs.com/ Even if you are just pet sitting, have a look

They are very interesting little critters