What Should You Feed Hermit Crabs?

what should you feed hermit crabs

There are several types of food that hermit crabs enjoy. These include fruit, nuts, seeds, and popcorn. Wood is also good for the crabs because it’s longer lasting than many other foods. This type of food is usually available outside your front door. In addition, wood can also be purchased from your local pet store.

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Contents

Popcorn

Popcorn is an ideal treat for your hermit crabs, because it’s a healthy food for them. Popcorn is a great source of calcium, which is needed for the exoskeleton. You can also add crushed cuttlebone, oyster shell, and fish flakes, which contain vitamins and minerals.

Hermit crabs can also eat plan vegetables, meat, or a party mix of different nuts. However, they prefer popcorn. Popcorn is great for rewarding good behavior, but you shouldn’t feed them popcorn every day.

Fruits

There are several fruits that Hermit Crabs enjoy eating. These fruits help them grow and stay healthy. In the wild, Hermit Crabs are opportunistic feeders, meaning they can consume a wide variety of items, from fallen fruits to whatever washes up on shore.

Most of the foods that hermit crabs enjoy are common foods that humans eat. They should be served in small amounts, though. You can even cook a portion for your hermit crab, which means that you can share the meal with your pet.

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent choice for feeding hermit crabs. However, you should be very careful when choosing them because some may contain preservatives or pesticides. Also, be sure to regularly replace their food and provide fresh water. You should not provide your crabs with commercial food because pet food companies aren’t bound by the same laws as human foods, so they may not be fully transparent about the ingredients.

Another healthy alternative to nuts is citrus fruit. Citrus fruits are rich in beta carotene, an important compound for the health of your crab. It is important to provide a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diet, so if you can’t find fresh citrus fruit, offer your crabs a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Seeds

Hermit crabs need a varied diet in order to thrive. They should get protein from various sources including animal protein, fat and calcium. Try to avoid feeding them too much dried fruit and avoid foods that are high in sugar. Hermit crabs can also get some of their nutrition from seeds.

Hermit crabs also eat wood pulp and plant litter. These sources are safe for the creatures to eat. Other sources of food are coconut, mango, papaya, blueberries and other fruits. You can even feed them nuts such as pecans. The important thing is that these foods are free of salt.

Coconut

Coconut should be fed to hermit crabs on a daily basis, because it has many health benefits for our pets. For example, it contains potassium and is a great source of Vitamin C. This fruit is also an irresistible treat for hermit crabs. Bananas also have high levels of Vitamin C, which is beneficial for your pet’s health.

However, coconuts are high in phosphorus and can cause a calcium deficiency in Hermit Crabs. If you choose to feed your hermit crab coconut, it is advisable to check for pesticide ethoxyquin, which is commonly used as a preservative in commercial crab food. Also, coconut crab is a delicacy in some parts of the world, but extensive hunting is threatening the survival of this species in those areas.

Eggshells

Hermit crabs love eggs, and eggshells are a good source of calcium for them. Eggshells should be organically produced to avoid the pesticides and other chemicals that are harmful to them. Eggshells can be offered in several forms, including raw and cooked. Raw eggshells are preferred as they are less likely to be infected with bacteria. Eggshells should be stored in a cool, dry place, and used within a year of purchase.

Hermit crabs’ diets should contain a variety of plant and animal protein sources. Besides eggshells, they can also eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains. Providing calcium to their diet is essential to their health and well-being. Crushed eggshells and cuttlebone are two great sources of calcium.

Whole grains

Whole grains are a healthy option to feed hermit crabs. Hermit crabs need a wide variety of nutrients in their diets, and grains are an excellent source of them. A good hermit crab food mix should contain a variety of grains, animal protein, fat, and calcium. Sweet things like dried fruit are also great choices, but should be used sparingly. If you do add dried fruit to the food, be sure to attach a desiccant packet to the container’s lid to keep it from escaping. Usually one spoonful per feeding bowl is adequate.

Hermit crabs can eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Typically, they need about seven days of these foods each week, with two or three days of healthy fats. Nuts are a good choice for hermit crabs, but make sure to give them small servings to avoid overfeeding.