If you have a hermit crab, you may be wondering what to feed it. The good news is that there are many different types of food that hermit crabs can eat. These foods range from grass and fruits to nuts and seeds. Here’s what to avoid when choosing food for your hermit crab. Grass is the best choice for hermit crabs, but fruits, nuts, seeds, and grains are also suitable.
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Grass
If you want to give your hermit crab the most nutritious diet, the grass is the best choice. However, your crab may also like certain types of junk food. These include sugary cereals, pretzels, and corn chips. Despite the fact that they don’t need them, your crab may be eating these items. Don’t worry – you can always throw away the leftovers.
Fruits
If you want to give your crab a tasty treat, then consider giving your pet fruits and vegetables. Crabs are natural scavengers and enjoy pinching and crunching on pieces of fruits and vegetables. Try avoiding pesticides and toxins from the produce you give them. Hermit crabs can also enjoy fancy food, such as popcorn drizzled with honey and greens. Avoid giving your pet citrus, onion, or garlic, as they can be harmful to them.
Nuts
Hermit crabs are not picky eaters. They’ll eat anything that catches their interest, even scrambled eggs or popcorn. But, what should you feed them? Here’s a quick guide to hermit crab nutrition. Nuts and seeds are among the best choices. Try them out and see how they like them. If they don’t, you can always switch them up!
Seeds
You can give your hermit crabs some of the same food that you eat. Some of the best food for hermit crabs is seed-based. These tiny, healthy treats come in the form of chia seeds. These can be safely grown and fed to your crab. If your crab doesn’t eat the seeds, you can sprinkle them on the substrate. You can also feed them in food dishes containing these treats.
Wood
If you have a tank for your hermit crabs, you will probably want to include wood as a food source. Unlike other types of wood, it’s not toxic to hermit crabs. Make sure you buy wood that is untreated and from a hermit crab-friendly species, like Cholla. Check out The Crab Street Journal for a list of safe woods for hermit crabs.
Eggshells
Crushed eggshells are an excellent addition to the diet of hermit crabs. Hermit crabs also enjoy crushed bird eggshell. For more nutritious food, you can also add crushed eggshell to their water bowls. Crushed bird eggshells are available at pet stores. Eggshells are a great source of calcium, and should be included in your crab’s diet. To make them more attractive, sprinkle crushed eggshell on their dishes.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a popular food choice for hermit crabs. However, it is best to use plain corn kernels instead of microwave popcorn. Popcorn seasoning, which comes in a mini shaker, is safe to give to hermit crabs. Popcorn also falls into the category of fruit and seeds. Crushed cuttlebone and oyster shell are excellent treats for hermit crabs and contain calcium, which is necessary for their exoskeleton. Fish flakes are another good choice for hermit crabs because they provide calcium and other vitamins.
