New Hermit Crab and setup

[Fett]

If there was no lid on top, yes they'd try and get out. LOL! There is a metal screen lid on the top of the tank. We just removed it to take those pictures. Just like the gecko tanks, we have a towel over most of it, with just a little open space on one end for airflow. This keeps their humidity up more than a full open air top.

[ramanth]

The new gal Katara was out last night getting a drink, so I snapped a quick pic:



Playing with the plant wall


My smallest and largest...Bear on the left, Sokka on the right


Momo 'spidermanning' on the lid


Little Bear


Can you spot all six hermits?

[captain]

Wow - I would have never thought about keeping them ......... but what a great setup you have .....

So, they SWOP shells? I know NOTHING about them ........ so excuse my ignorance ...

[ramanth]

That's okay Captain! Happy to answer questions.

As they grow, they have to move into larger shells. But occasionally they will "shell shop" just for the heck of it. You'll see them pop into a new shell, try it out and often move back into the original shell.

It's funny when a crab moves into a shell that is either too big or too small for them. No idea what is going on in those little minds of theirs.

[Cinder & Smoke]

As they grow, they have to move into larger shells.
But occasionally they will "shell shop" just for the heck of it.

You'll see them pop into a new shell, try it out and
often move back into the original shell.

It's funny when a crab moves into a shell that is either too big or too small for them.

OK ... so the Crab isn't 'part' of the shell --- the shell is just a 'rented room' ??

The one doing the Spidermman *roof walk* on the tank cover ...
He's draggging his HOUSE along with him??
Just HOW does a Crab "hold onto" his House whilst he's wandering around the abode -
I see no suspenders??

Now the really DUMM one:
Are they UNDER water, like a Phish; or stopmin around on dry sand?

Dawgs look more *cuddlesome*.

[ramanth]

OK ... so the Crab isn't 'part' of the shell --- the shell is just a 'rented room' ??

The one doing the Spidermman *roof walk* on the tank cover ...
He's draggging his HOUSE along with him??
Just HOW does a Crab "hold onto" his House whilst he's wandering around the abode -
I see no suspenders??

Correct! Here is a page that explains their anatomy:

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

They use an appendage called a uropod to hold onto the shell. If you see a hermit without a shell, it's either stressed, sick, or already dead.

Now the really DUMM one:
Are they UNDER water, like a Phish; or stopmin around on dry sand?

These crabs are the dry land variety, but they need both salt water and fresh water offered to thrive, hence the two water bowls.

[Fett]

They look kinda gross without their shells. With their shells they are cool.

[chocolatepuppy]

If there was no lid on top, yes they'd try and get out. LOL! There is a metal screen lid on the top of the tank. We just removed it to take those pictures.

oops!