If you’re new to caring for a hermit crab, you might be wondering what should you feed your pet. There are a number of options, including wood, popcorn, fruit, and vegetables. Here are some tips to get you started. The key is to be consistent and avoid giving your crab food that isn’t nutritious for him. Try giving your crab fresh, natural proteins at least once a day to start.
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Popcorn
There are a few health benefits of hermit crabs eating popcorn. Popcorn is a whole food that is rich in calcium. Crushed cuttlebone and oyster shell are also great treats. Crushed cuttlebone is good for calcium since hermit crabs’ exoskeleton is mainly calcium. Fish flakes are also beneficial for your crabs, as they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Wood
You can purchase a variety of substrates for hermit crabs. Some common choices include sand, small river pebbles, crushed coral, and potting soil. However, you should avoid using rocks, which are too coarse for your crabs to dig under. Rocks also do not hold moisture well enough for your crab’s crabitat. Wood chips are a good alternative for certain parts of the tank, but wood is not suitable for the whole tank. Wood chips and sand are acceptable materials for certain areas. Wood chips and corn shavings are not safe for your crab’s habitat.
Fruit
Hermit crabs like fresh fruits. They especially enjoy wrinkled and mushy fruits. The skins of citrus fruits should be left on the fruit and should not be peeled, as they contain insect repellents. They also like fresh vegetables and fruits, including carrots, cucumbers, blueberries, raspberries, and mangos. Occasionally, you can also offer your hermit crab walnuts or peanut butter.
Vegetables
When choosing vegetables to feed a hermit crab, remember to choose those with a high calcium content. Beets are a good choice because they contain carotenoids, but be aware that they also contain oxalic acid, which prevents calcium from being absorbed properly by the body. Beets are safe as treats, but should be avoided as a staple diet. For a low-calorie, high-nutrient alternative, you can give carrot flakes or raw carrot.
Fish flakes
You can buy high quality commercial crab food from pet stores. Look for food without ethoxyquin and copper sulfate. You can also give your hermit crab fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure to wash all produce thoroughly to remove any pesticides or herbicides. Wood can also serve as a source of a balanced diet. Fish flakes can also be given to your hermit crab.
Commercial crab food
It’s crucial to provide varied nutrition for your hermit crabs, and commercial hermit crab food contains multiple protein sources and various flavors. These foods are also highly nutritious, helping to promote healthy exoskeleton growth and energetic behavior. Aim for products that don’t contain fillers or ingredients that are not considered good for your hermit crab. A dedicated spoon should be used for stirring ingredients. Commercial hermit crab food is available in two sizes.
Eggshells
Hermit crabs thrive on calcium and other nutrients from eggshells. Crushed bird eggshells are a perfect calcium supplement for crabs. Crushed eggshells can also be boiled and placed in a crab’s habitat. These are also known as Crabitat and are safe for use by crabs. You can also add them to your hermit crab’s habitat to supplement its diet.
