HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I'm still trying to identify the ones in front yard. The ones in back so far is an Oak ACORN tree (yes I can use) a Maple ( yes I can use) but I know I can use the mulberry fruit,

Can i use the Mulberry BRANCHES &LEAVES? The fruit is done obviously for the season, but I want to know if I can use the rest when it starts to fall in my yard. I'm redoing all my crabitates and want to use leave litter and more natural sticks.
Can i use the Black Walnuts BRANCHES & LEAVES? I know i can use the nuts.

I'm also going to list to be an official adopter with you guys. I've already been adopting for a year threw craigslist here in northern va. So, getting free items from my yard that they love is really the way to go!

Out front so far is a Beautiful American SYCAMORE that I can use also, how wonderful!!! Its sheds leaves, bark & branches all year long! 3 more trees to identify.

According to the safe food list Mulberry is fine. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Not sure about walnuts though. I know that a plain walnut is fine, but I'm sorry, I don't know about the trees

hermitcrabdc wrote:According to the safe food list Mulberry is fine. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557
Not sure about walnuts though. I know that a plain walnut is fine, but I'm sorry, I don't know about the trees

OK thank you

ANOTHER QUESTION...I'm not seeing it on either list...what about peppers? Green, yellow, and red sweet peppers? I would think yes, as for the colors alone! Also hot ones, mild like local farm grown, jalapeño & red pepper, there not hot, but a touch of spice.?.?. Thanks

Peppers are fine. In fact, red and orange are especially good for hermit crabs as they conain astaxanthin- one of the most important elements in crustacean diet. I'm not positive on the jalepenos, but if you find out please share.

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OK, thank you! Well I mixed all the peppers together, so I guess it would come down to what's left.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh you are so lucky. I want to grow a mulberry tree for my silkworms but I live in an apartment. Is it white mulberry?

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No its the purple black color kind, some reds. ThEy taste great though!

I'd be wary of mulberry wood. It's supposed to be highly resistant to insects. I'm not sure how that translates to hermit crabs, but I wouldn't risk it.

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Ok, will do!

My crabs have been eating mulberry leaves and bark for many years without any harmful effects. If it can be gathered from a safe place where pesticides and chemical fertilizers have not been used, then it is perfectly safe. The tree parts have a lot of natural latex, but hermit crabs eat a LOT of things containing natural latex like papaya, kiwi, dandelion, showy milkweed, and mulberry leaves. They love stripping the bark from young mulberry branches and it should be a good source of chitin too (which keeps their exos flexible).