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.

[Kalei]

AW, those are so cool! At my petstore they always looked so boring, cause they are never showing themselves at all, but those pics make them look a bit more fun then I thought they were

Congrats on your new additions!

[ramanth]

AW, those are so cool! At my petstore they always looked so boring, cause they are never showing themselves at all, but those pics make them look a bit more fun then I thought they were

Congrats on your new additions!

If they are not kept at the right temps, humidity, or given plenty of fresh water, they won't be nearly as active. That's the secret!

[k9krazee]

How often do they swap shells?

[ramanth]

I guess it just depends on the crab. I can't recall every seeing a crab swap so much. The two I had years ago never swapped shells, but then, I didn't keep them in the best of conditions.

This is a great info page about crabs and their shells:

http://www.thecrabbagepatch.com/shells.html

[Kfamr]

So cool!

The only experience I have with hermit crabs are the ones we pick up at the beach.

[ramanth]

That's really cool Kay! I wish I could see some of the species I have as pets in their native enviroment.

[tikeyas_mom]

AWE hes soo cute.... I love Hermit crabs!! They are so cool. I am always tempted to buy a couple everytime I see them. I love his Shell. Make sure to update when you pick out a name!

[Christmas_Hamster]

Thanks alot you made me want hermit crabs again

Very purty crabbies you gots

[sweetpatata6]

AW, those are so cool! At my petstore they always looked so boring, cause they are never showing themselves at all, but those pics make them look a bit more fun then I thought they were

The first hermits I ever had were like that. I think it was the enviorment that they were kept in. After expeirience, I've found out that ((the ones near me)) Petsmart hermit crabs are less active and seem to be less healthy than Petco ones here. At petsmart, they all keep them together, but at Petco, they seperate them by size, making it a safer enviorment for the littler ones.

How often do they swap shells?

I have hermit crabs and one of em Michelle, changes almost everyday. I think the most she's ever stayed in one shell is a week. She rotates what shells she uses. Half of em are WAYYYY too big and she almost walkes right out of them. My other hermit crab, Cermit, has only changed once, the day after I got him.