What hermit crabs need to survive depends on their environment. Their habitat needs to be comfortable and have proper humidity. They breathe through gills and the proper exchange of oxygen depends on the humidity of the air. Dry air will suffocate the hermit crabs. Their ideal relative humidity is between 70 and 80 percent. If you don’t want to take chances, buy a hygrometer. If you don’t have one, buy one at a pet store. Excess humidity can lead to condensation and encourage bacteria growth.
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Food
Hermit crabs are naturally nocturnal creatures, and therefore, they will regularly search for food under the cover of darkness. They aren’t fussy eaters, so they will try almost anything if it gets their attention. Some foods they like are scrambled eggs and popcorn, for example. Hermit crabs can even eat plastic bags of garbage! You should always replace their food with fresh ones on a regular basis.
Another type of food that your crabs will enjoy is wood. Wood is an excellent source of protein for crabs and doesn’t have to be replaced daily. It can be found outside your front door. Furthermore, it’s cheaper than other types of food. This is because wood is available right outside your door! So, while wood isn’t ideal for humans, it is a good source of protein and energy.
Water
Hermit crabs need water to stay hydrated. This moisture helps keep their gills and bodies moist. They also keep a small amount of water in their shells, which you can replenish when your hermit crab sits in its water dish. This shell water is just as important to hermit crab survival as their drinking water. To maintain this water level, keep your water dish deep enough for your crab to submerge. Change the water daily.
Hermit crabs cannot live without water. In fact, they can survive for about two weeks without any freshwater. Their respiratory rate is regulated by saltwater, which keeps their gills moist. Freshwater is also good for washing salt water hermit crabs. For those who purchase hermit crabs from beach stores, you can use a sponge to wash your crab before placing it in fresh water.
Humidity
The ideal indoor humidity for humans is between forty and fifty percent. Anything over sixty percent is likely to promote mold growth. Because hermit crabs need high humidity levels to thrive, you should ensure that your aquarium has high humidity. An average-sized hermit crab needs a dish with a height of about one inch and sides of at least one inch. Smaller “hermies” may require a shallower bowl with less sides. To ensure high humidity levels in the tank, you can purchase a salt additive from a pet store. This additive is made specifically for hygroot, the type of habitat in which hermit crabs live.
While hermit crabs are not prone to respiratory problems, inadequate humidity in their tanks can kill them. Therefore, you must check the humidity in the tank on a regular basis. Hermit crabs need a humidity level of 70 to 80 percent. A hygrometer is a great way to check the humidity level in your tank. You can get an analog or digital hygrometer, and you should check it at least twice a day.
Shells
Hermit crabs are ectothermic, which means they need both warm and cool sides to stay warm. This is important for their comfort and to ensure that they do not overheat. The hot end of the tank should be 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cool end should not go below 70 degrees. If you do not give your hermit crab a proper environment, he or she may eventually pass away. This can happen because of old age or an undetected illness.
Hermit crabs prefer open shells over closed ones. While some species of hermit crabs may switch shells several times in a day, others may spend much longer searching for the right shell. Make sure to clean the shells regularly with dechlorinated, fresh water. Hermit crabs are most comfortable in a natural environment, so you should use dechlorinated water to clean them.
Temperatures
Hermit crabs are tropical creatures, so they require a certain range of temperature to thrive. Their ideal environment is about 22 to 28 degrees Celsius, and temperatures below that are harmful. For this reason, many people use lights to keep the temperature up, and some hermit crabs prefer an “D”-shaped opening, while others prefer a round one. Hermit crabs also require clean, dechlorinated water, which should be kept at a constant 70 percent or higher.
Hermit crabs should always be kept at a comfortable temperature. If temperatures get too low, they may go into hibernation and die. This is often avoided by placing a heating pad inside the habitat, and using a hand warmer when necessary. Hermit crabs are very sensitive to extremes in temperature, so keeping them cool is essential to their health. You should watch out for signs that the temperatures are too high or too low: increased activity during the day, an unpleasant musty odor in the enclosure, and brown liquid coming from the hermit crab’s shell.
