HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi there. Are you sure a hermit crab is the right pet for your family? Hermit crabs are nocturnal animals, most active from around 1AM to 4AM. During the day they often hide or bury themselves. Crabs periodically molt and, during the molt, stay underground for anywhere from a couple weeks to 6+ mont...

Is oxygen really needed for humans? They can survive without it. Sure, they'd survive a whole lot longer with it, but it's not really necessary is it? Yes, it is. And so is molting for hermit crabs. Molting is a natural, hugely important part of a hermit crab's life. And just like if you cut off oxy...

$0 for the coconut crab, I value my fingers.

I would be willing to go up to $100 for crabs that glow in the dark. Your move, scientists.

What about when a crab bathes itself in the fresh water bowl? Wouldn't this have the same (possibly negative) effects? All of its "shell water" would be replaced with fresh. I believe one of the ideas behind providing both fresh and saltwater is that it will enable the crab to regulate osmosis on i...

I'm begging to wonder if indos modify their shells to make a head notch. :) One of mine came in shells that were notched that same way, but I haven't seen any do it to their new shells...so... I dunno. Maybe something for peeps to look out for when they get indos in! :D Two of mine came in notched ...

I wonder if such "mass molts" are due to some biological and/or environmental factors or if they're just coincidence.

When I emailed live hermit crabs two days ago I got a response in less than 2 hours and all of my questions were answered to the best of lhc's ability. Given the nature of lhc's business and the knowledge I had of their practices (i.e. lack of communication) prior to ordering crabs, my experience wi...

Giga wrote: Hi Brian

I completely understand. My supplier emailed this morning to advise he will have information on flights in 2 days. 

Thank you,
Live Hermit Crabs

Anyone heard anything new?

More information on molting: http://www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Hermit-Crab-Successful-Molting-a/138.htm "Hermit crabs are wild creatures and I believe they should be kept in conditions that honor and simulate their natural environment. In nature, land hermit crabs bury to protect themselves during the ...

@JamesR: the complete documentation can be found here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bxr0FH0rGBTxTjNBMVd3MlVRMDJ0U1U0aUJ2cmhQQQ Oh, I really don't know the english or american names of my live plants. I only can give you the latin names. The live plants will be changed sometimes, because my herm...

Climbing on top probably isn't a mating behavior as there's a shell in the way. He's probably just looking for a perch or a free ride. Hermit crab behavior hasn't been well studied though, so it's entirely possible that climbing could be some sort of courtship. Edit: here's a video that claims to sh...

I would love to hear more about the breeding process from mating to raising the hatchlings.

Edit: I'd also like to know what live plants you have and how you have them planted.

It will be easier for people to help if you fill this out: 1. What kind of substrate is used in your tank and how deep is it? 2. Do you have gauges in the tank to measure temperature and humidity? If so, where are they located and what temperature and humidity do they usually read? 3. Is a heat sour...

I believe the thermometer is best placed in the center a couple inches above the substrate.

Have you recalibrated your hygrometer? That could be the issue and, if it is, you could be overdoing the humidity.