Let’s Talk Crabby: Hermit Crabs as Pets

There are many unusual pets out there, which one can you possibly have as a pet? If you are tired of
having a dog and there’s not enough space in your home, then a pet that requires very little space
is most suitable. Depending on your personal preference, there is a wide variety of interesting, low
maintenance, easy care companion and space-saving pets that you can find.

Hermit crabs are among the more uncommon pets but they can be fun to have, too. These are decapod
crustaceans coming from the superfamily Paguroidea mainly identified to possess an asymmetrical
abdomen which is concealed in an empty gastropod shell that is being carried around by the hermit
crab wherever it goes. Classified as decapod crustaceans, hermit crabs have 10 legs. Most decapods are
scavengers, and hermit crabs are not exempt. They eat anything and are not used to being fed, but given
some time and routine, hermit crabs can get the hang of it.

Hermit crabs are not “real” crabs basically because of their soft abdomen which they carefully protect
by practically living in empty, borrowed cave-like shells. Just like the alienated and ostracized hermits
that live in caves and mountains, so too are these crabs, being names as such. With about 500 known
species of hermit crabs spread all over, they grow well in different environments depending on the
climate. Some crabbies live in shallow coral reef and beaches while others thrive deeply in sea water.
There are also other hermit crabs that stay on land and would often climb trees just like the ones seen in
the Caribbean islands. Since these crabby creatures both survive on land and in water, they usually feed
on both plants and animals, thus categorically grouped as omnivores.

Hermit Crabs are like nomads with no permanent address, transferring and relocating from one shell
to another and when they grow bigger, they also go to a more spacious, vacant shell. New owners and
hermit crab owners-to-be should be able to provide a larger shell to give ample space and more time for
the crabby to thrive in one shell.

If hermit crabs interest you, then you can care for them as a pet but you need to prepare a home for
them first before buying one. They only require a small place, so having them around is easy. Taking into
account the most suitable enclosure, humidity and temperature, water dish, food bowl, calcium and all
other requirements, then you are ready to have a hermit crab as pet. It is low maintenance, so there
won’t be worries on vet fees, food expenses, grooming and immunization. Now, we’re talking ‘crabby’.

 Hermit Crabs as Pets Video