What to Feed Hermit Crabs

how to feed hermit crabs

Hermit crabs love to climb and cling to things. If you’re unsure what to feed them, then read this article to get some ideas. You can feed them fruits, vegetables, eggshells, cuttlebones, and bananas, but these are only a few suggestions. You can also give them extra growth shells and sea sponges. If you have a large enclosure, you should add a few sea sponges to keep humidity and the environment safe for the crabs.

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Contents

Vegetables

One of the most important things to remember when trying to provide your hermit crab with a diet is to make sure they get plenty of variety. Most hermit crabs do not mind pellet formula, but a variety of different fruits and vegetables will be a welcome change. Choose organic fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides. Hermit crabs are not fond of citrus or onion, so be sure to keep those out of their diet, too.

If you’re worried about a hermit crab’s allergies, there are several fruits and vegetables that they are able to tolerate. You can even mix fruits and vegetables into their diets. Fruits should be high in animal protein, and fats should be kept to a minimum. While shemit crabs don’t mind a little sweetener, avoid giving them any dairy products, and you’ll have to change up their diet regularly.

Eggshells

Crushed bird eggshells are a great addition to any hermit crab’s diet. These shells are free from the harmful chemicals that can be found in many foods. Hermit crabs also like to eat figs, but be sure to remove the skin before feeding your crabs. This way, you’ll be able to get to the pith inside the shell and feed it to your crabs.

Hermit crabs are crustaceans, which are mostly aquatic animals with hard calcium shells. They have symmetrical segmented bodies and ten jointed legs. Their shells can fit snugly or escape altogether, but some things can cause them to do this. For example, hermit crabs may escape their shell due to stress, an inhospitable environment, or uninvited company.

Cuttlebones

A cuttlebone is a natural food source for hermit crabs. They are extremely delicate creatures with sensitive digestive systems. Providing them with a cuttlebone sharpens their claws, which they use to manipulate food into their mouths. The cuttlebone is also packed with calcium, the most important food group for hermit crabs. Here are some tips for feeding cuttlebones to hermit crabs.

For the most nutritious diet, provide your hermit crab with a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and cuttlebones. They also like freeze-dried crickets and shrimp. Those newly molted crabs need more protein, so freeze-dried shrimp are a great option. A few pieces of bird seed are also great sources of calcium. If you’re not sure what to feed your crabs, try combining cuttlebones with freeze-dried crickets.

Bananas

In a pet hermit crab diet, bananas can be a good choice. Bananas are a natural source of energy, and they can fill in your pet’s dietary requirements. Bananas are low in sugar but have enough fat to fulfill the hermit crab’s dietary requirements. A banana should not be given to a hermit crab if its shell has already molted.

A hermit crab’s body has claws at the front that help pick up the banana and guide it to the mouth. The crab’s secondary antennae detect the taste of the banana and lead it into its mouth. Unlike humans, hermit crabs don’t have teeth, so the small mouth parts help grind up their food. Bananas are soft, and hermit crabs can digest them more easily if they are mashed.

Celery

There are a number of benefits to giving your hermit crabs celery as a food supplement. It provides them with extra calcium that their diets lack and helps them absorb the essential minerals. Additionally, celery is a great source of carbs and protein, which are both important for hermit crabs. It can be used as a whole or ground up. You can also purchase ground celery seeds, which your pet can eat directly or drink as a juice.

The stalks are tough for pets. Some pet owners set aside the softer ones, preparing them for themselves. But before you serve your pet with celery, be sure to de-string it first. Celery stalks contain string-like parts that are uncomfortable for humans to eat. To make it easier for your hermit crab to digest, de-stringing the celery will take a few minutes.