New Hermit Crab Mom

[ramanth]

This past Saturday Andy and I went to the local reptile show to get feeders for the snake, food for the geckos, and just browse around. We ended up bringing home two Purple Pinchers as well.

I hadn't had hermit crabs in years and to be honest, I wasn't a great hermit mom back then.

Saw some Strawberry crabs at Petco a couple of weeks ago and decided to do some research.

Still haven't named them, but we're certain the big guy is a boy since Andy didn't see any pleopods when he changed shells. It was too dark to tell on the little guy. Andy is so lucky as he saw them swapping shells many times last night.

Anyway, here are a few photos I snapped last night.

The big guy


The little guy


Food and salt bath on the left - Jungle gym and hide in the center


Water and extra shells on the right


Big guy getting a drink




Line up at the watering hole


Big guy up high


Any ideas for names?

[Zippy]

They are both so cute. and a great set-up.I bet they are in heaven.
Name ideas:
Slowpoke
Speedy
Mr.Crabs
Sebastian
Sandy
Shelldon

[Cinder & Smoke]

<gasp>

[Fett]

Yeah, Kim has been carrying on for a while now about getting hermit crabs. Saw these really cheap at the reptile show and she couldn't resist. Yes, now there are 10 animals in our apartment. LOL!

We already had a leftover 20 gallon tank sitting in storage, so we put the gecko that was in the 10 gallon tank into the 20 gallon (as she is now big enough to move up in tank size) and now the 10 gallon is home to the crusty crustaceans. (sp?)

I haven't seen either one eat anything yet, but at least I think they were drinking last night as they were each hugging that sponge for a while. I assume they are somehow drinking off it. They seemed to just stay mostly on the left side of the tank so far. That pic Kim has of the big one up on the upper section is because she placed the crab there. It hasn't wandered up there on it's own yet. I'm hoping they do!

They are interesting to watch, as all pets are. I've already caught the cats sitting right in front of the tank watching it. (probably not good), but the tank will be moved higher up soon anyway.

[k9krazee]

Oh how neat! They're bigger than I was expecting! Their set up looks great!

Names, names...ummm, I'm no good with names, but if I think of anything I'll let you know

[ramanth]

Thanks.

I nearly saw the big guy swap shells! But I eventually had to leave for work. He'd turn it around, stick his claws deep in side, turn it some more, repeat.... I considered being late for work.