There are a lot of different types of food you can give to your hermit crab, but the basic rules are the same regardless of the species. There are three general types of food: plant-based, fruit and vegetable, and wood and flowers. Regardless of what type of food you choose, you will need to give your hermit crab at least a small portion of it each day. There are several different foods you can feed your hermit crab, and the following information is meant to help you decide.
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Plant-based foods
Some fruits can be toxic to hermit crabs, but others are perfectly safe. Mangoes, for example, are a great choice because they contain vitamin C and are rich in calcium, which is necessary for the exoskeleton. They also have plenty of vitamins and minerals, including potassium and magnesium. Mangoes are highly nutritious and are often given to pets for their sweet taste. They’re also packed with fiber, so hermit crabs can even eat the rind!
Fruits and vegetables
One of the most important parts of a hermit crab’s diet is a good supply of protein. A typical hermit crab needs about seven percent protein, seven percent vegetables, and two percent healthy fats a week. To supplement this diet, hermit crabs can be fed wheat grass, broccoli leaves, blackberries, strawberries, and Irish moss. They can also be fed a diet of seven-grain cereals or even some small amounts of oils.
Wood
While you don’t have to buy real wood to feed your hermit crab, you can find fake pine half logs and other imitation materials at Petco. If you’re not sure which one is best for your hermit crab, try mangrove wood. While the branches from this tree tend to break easily, you can use them as toys and decorations. Sycamore wood is more affordable and works well in hermit crab habitats. The bark is also suitable for hermit crabs.
Flowers
There are many different types of flowers a hermit crab can eat. You’ll want to be aware of the differences between safe and toxic varieties. Flowers that aren’t treated with pesticides or commercial fertilizers are safe to feed your crab. You can read about which flowers are safe to feed your crab by consulting a reference book. Unless you’re sure that a particular flower is poisonous, you should never feed your crab any flowers from a plant you’ve cultivated yourself.
Leaves
Hermit crabs can be fed just about any vegetable. They love sweet, crunchy, colorful veggies. Organic vegetables are also suitable. Lettuce, carrot tops, bell peppers, celery, kale, spinach, and broccoli are some popular options. Aside from these vegetables, you can also feed hermit crabs fruits like mangoes and hibiscus. Some varieties even contain protein.
Grass
Grass can be an excellent source of protein and calcium for your pet hermit crab. However, it is important to remember to wash the grass thoroughly before feeding it to your crab. You can also substitute plants such as wheat grass for meat, or broccoli leaves for greens. Occasionally, you can also feed your pet a small piece of raw grass. A daily rotation of different foods is also important for hermit crabs.
Cuttlebone
Adding a cuttlebone to your hermit crab’s tank is an easy way to enrich their diet. This type of food is completely natural and provides your hermit crab with the essential minerals it needs to grow and thrive. A cuttlebone is an excellent source of calcium, which your hermit crab needs to stay healthy. Hermit crabs can molt every two to three days and will try to dig into the substrate to feed on it.
