Hermit crabs are so-called because of their shells.It looks like they only want themselves to  be in their tiny homes,making them seem like hermits.They are very popular with both adults and children who want a pet to look at and is somewhat exotic.They live in ashell that is very mobile and light.If you would like one,read this or something similar first to make them feel happy.

  Of course you obviously need a hermit crab if you want to keep one as a pet,but where should you get one?There are a ton of places you would be able to purchase them,but not all of the hermmies are generally healthy at all.Your most probable choice is the nearest pet shop selling them.These could be fine,but there are usually problems from buying these.Remember that it has probably been shipped to many places until it reaches its final destination.If you live mainland or farther inland off the beach,you may probably be able to capture a free crab.Note that they do not live on the beach itself,unless yoou would prefer aquatic hermits.These may harbor parasites.Where ever you get them look for red flags of bad health such as falling legs,dead crabs,rancid food and water,and many other bad signs.Select bright,healthy crabs.Do noty handle them for about a week to let them settle.

  This is usually fairly easily done with parental supervision or solely parental-donapestressed.A low water bowl of freshwater should always be provided to prevent dehydration.Another low bowl of saltwater should be provided to supplement their salt needs.Keep the the temperature at 80 degrees by using an undertank heater use a thermometer to keep the temperature checked right.Mist daily or every other day and check to see the humidity is moderate and the substrate is damp,but not soaked to the point it leaks.These animals like to climb and have been found high up on coconut trees.Provide jagged rocks or branches for eassy climbing.A tank lid will prevent escape.

  When feeding,it is important that a correct diet is provided for maximum longevity.The diet should be high in protein,but low in fat.Certain feeder fish can fit the bill,but must be supplemented with other foods and treats.Cat food is high in protein,but also high in fat so this is not the best choice.The best diet is a natural diet of varied fish food  or specially formulated crab food.Supplement the food with fruit.There favorite food in the wild are dead fish with fruits especially coconuts.

  Hermit crabs of all species other than crabs that prefer tight shells will switch shells over and over again if given the chance.Once every month,a larger shell should be placed.If it refuses it,leave it in the cage for a couple of days and if it still refuses it,maybe it is not the right size.The thick shells are not recommended because they are very heavy and overheat crabs easily.A shell with blunt ends are prefered because they are more easily grasped by the body.Painted shells that are not too thick  can always be used.Places to buy shells are Petcos,Petsmart,local petshops,or even craftstores.Clear glass shells can be used if it is light enough,but I would rather use clear,plastic ones that look extremely similar to thick glass,but are more clear,lighter,and you may see the body more vividly.Do not put soda cans in the cage because they will use them as shells and their soft bodies will be cut,drainig the bodily fluids,and the crab will die slowly.

  Handling hermit crabs is like handling a rock with pincers.They will usually go in their shells when handled,but with taming they become more pet-like.Grab it by the shell and cup the lower part in your hand.Try don to let it roam all over you hand because they can fall easily.If you do want to let it roam,do it over the bed,only a few feet above its surface.The inside of shells are very sharp so the body can become punctured if dropped.Other reasons for death by dropping is the breakage of body parts,trauma,etc.Do not give it a bad experience because experiments on crabs to test pain on them concluded they become unsteady and will not let you handle them submissively.

• Crabs live up to 10 years in the wild.In captivity,they usually live a couple of months because uneducated people get them and play with them as soon as being brought home.The stress is also caused by being shipped all over.
  

• They can be as large as coconuts.
  

• There are several species of hermit crabs in the pet trade.
  
  

• They are very social,despite their names.Colonies of hundreds have been found.Lone crabs often lose limbs due to stress.
  

A species of crab called coconut crabs are a kind of large hermit crabs that are shelless.They are not found in the pet trade.

The most common hermits are the purple pincher.They are usually active when healthy.There claws or pinchers are purple or sometimes slate blue.They tame down fairly easily and even recognize their owner.They have long lifespans.Some,mostly in zoos,have lived to be 30 and even 40 in overly exceptional hands.

  The other more common crab is the ecuadorian crab.They are fast moving and really active.They are thought to be the smallest species of hermit crabs,only growing 12 millimeters.There color is usually drab gray.These are more fun to look at than to handle because they  are so small and timid.

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