The Best Substrate for Hermit Crabs: Avoid Deadly Mistakes

findi

New member
Jan 28, 2012
494
0
Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. Iā€™m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20
Iā€™ve had the good fortune of working with many species of terrestrial Hermit Crabs, including the unbelievably huge Coconut Crab (Birgus latro). Most are surprisingly long-lived ā€“ for example, the species most commonly sold in pet stores (the Caribbean Hermit Crab, Coenobita clypeatus) can survive for 20 or more years if properly cared for! Weā€™ve learned a great deal about Hermit Crab captive needs over the years, but serious mistakes are still commonly made when it comes to hermit crab substrate choice. The ability to successfully molt and form a new exoskeleton, and to survive the attacks of cage-mates during this dangerous time, hinges upon the substrate. Even if all else is perfect, Hermit Crabs will expire long before ā€œtheir time is dueā€ if they do not have access to appropriate substrates of the correct depth. Read the rest of this article here Best Substrate for Hermit Crabs - Avoiding Issues | That Reptile Blog [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals Iā€™ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Findi- you always post the most interesting stuff! I always see those people selling hermit crabs at the swap meet or fair (and every so often, a mall) in little plastic enclosures. I never knew they had such in-depth care needs, and those vendors certainly don't provide or recommend "6-8 inches" of sand for them. I might just be tempted to let those people know next time they are not providing adequate care information next time I see one of them! Just like people who get trapped into buying birds on impulse with little to knowledge on their care, I guess other exotics get the short end of the stick from breeders/sellers too (and that makes me SO mad whether its a bird or a crab!). Keep posting your articles, always an interesting read!
 
OP
F

findi

New member
Jan 28, 2012
494
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Findi- you always post the most interesting stuff! I always see those people selling hermit crabs at the swap meet or fair (and every so often, a mall) in little plastic enclosures. I never knew they had such in-depth care needs, and those vendors certainly don't provide or recommend "6-8 inches" of sand for them. I might just be tempted to let those people know next time they are not providing adequate care information next time I see one of them! Just like people who get trapped into buying birds on impulse with little to knowledge on their care, I guess other exotics get the short end of the stick from breeders/sellers too (and that makes me SO mad whether its a bird or a crab!). Keep posting your articles, always an interesting read!


Very kind of you, thanks! YES, THEY REALLY GET A RAW DEAL, few appreciate how complex and interesting they are, and millions are sold worldwide. Unfortunately, no way to breed them in captivity, as that is also an extremely unique process also; hope you enjoy this: The Complex Life of a Common Pet - the Terrestrial or Caribbean Hermit Crab best, Frank
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Do you have any articles on fire belly newts? We've had ours for 5+ years and I just recently found out the little guy could live up to 30! I'd be interested in learning more about him :)
 
OP
F

findi

New member
Jan 28, 2012
494
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Do you have any articles on fire belly newts? We've had ours for 5+ years and I just recently found out the little guy could live up to 30! I'd be interested in learning more about him :)


Hi,

Sure, great creatures, several of mine have lived into their mid 20's. Links to 3 are below. The info in the general newt article is largely applicable, but let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy, Frank
The Natural History and Care of Newts - Japanese and Chinese Fire-bellied Newts

Newts as Pets - an Introduction to their Care and Feeding

AmphibiaWeb - Cynops pyrrhogaster
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Thanks! We've had ours for around 5 years. Someone was just going to flush the poor thing when the kids lost interest, and I just couldn't not take him in. It's just a single newt, so we've been keeping him in a 5 gallon tank with smooth gravel on the bottom, a big smooth rock that comes above the water line (for him to hang out on), a faux plant and a "log" decoration. I thoroughly clean the tank once a month, and I add a big cup of fresh (dechlorinated) water once a week. He gets fed a cube of bloodworms once a week, and the occasional small creepy crawly I find around the house. Is that about right for his care? He's pretty active at night, and spends a lot of days "burrowed" in the plants "tentacles", but he doesn't come out of the water very much. I never really know what is normal or if he's healthy. He seems fine :)
 
OP
F

findi

New member
Jan 28, 2012
494
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks! We've had ours for around 5 years. Someone was just going to flush the poor thing when the kids lost interest, and I just couldn't not take him in. It's just a single newt, so we've been keeping him in a 5 gallon tank with smooth gravel on the bottom, a big smooth rock that comes above the water line (for him to hang out on), a faux plant and a "log" decoration. I thoroughly clean the tank once a month, and I add a big cup of fresh (dechlorinated) water once a week. He gets fed a cube of bloodworms once a week, and the occasional small creepy crawly I find around the house. Is that about right for his care? He's pretty active at night, and spends a lot of days "burrowed" in the plants "tentacles", but he doesn't come out of the water very much. I never really know what is normal or if he's healthy. He seems fine :)

My pleasure. Try to vary the diet, as the FZ bloodworms will not provide all nutrients needed. Reptomin or any similar product is good as a staple; add some FD prawn also and you'll be set.

Try removing a cup or so of water each week, then adding fresh to make up that as well as what has evaporated...ammonia is left behind when water evaporates; by scooping out water, you'll be lowering the ammonia/nitrite levels.

Let me know if you need anything, best, Frank
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top