HCA: Hermit Crab Association

We were letting our hermit crab get some exercise outside. We turned our head for a few seconds and he was gone. We have searched everywhere. Does anyone have any advice on how to find a hermit crab outside? Thanks!

I hate to say it, but it might not be possible. They can hide and dig and run and climb. Unless he was in an enclosed space (small area with little means of escape), or he just barely left, it might be futile. I would say put out smelly or tasty crab food, but that would probably attract other critters. It is very easy to lose them in the grass, unfortunately. I'm sorry that he disappeared. For future reference, they do not require any outdoor excursion or sunlight, etc., all in all it is probably best to avoid removing them from the crabitat to prevent escapage and injury/stress. I really am sorry that I'm not more help. Good luck, I hope he shows up or you find him.

I was afraid of that. Thanks for your help, though. I believe he headed toward some thick pine needles. He probably buried himself down in there. I placed food out in several spots but will take it up in the morning so I won't attract any other critters.

Good luck, I'm hoping you find him. <3

Giving him a nice bath of salt water (SW) where he could get into but no get out (ensuring that he has a place on the inside where he can dry off/breathe/chill in) would be a good way to catch him, as it been suggested that they have an extraordinary sense of smell where they can smell from a mile away. Time to put that theory into use!

Good luck though.

^^^great advice.

Don't lose hope! when I was a kid, I had a crab that escaped my tank in the house. never thought I would see him again. Our property was next to a baseball park. 3 months later while sitting at the picnic tables, My cousin said Hey look a sea shell. He picked it up and low and behold there he was. I know that it's a long shot for ya, but you never know!

Good luck, hope you find it!

(how it survived 3 months with no intervention or spare shells is beyond me. I lived in a wooded area of Florida, so I'm sure the temp was what he was used too, but other than that, his survival and our finding him is unexplained)

@joe84
Wow, I've never heard a story like that before!!! Hope the OP reads this, that is amazing! To the OP: do you live in a tropical-ish climate?

I live in jax fl and as long as he had shade... Its 100% possible, unique to find him again, but completely possible! Our humidity is so high when u walk out the door that you feel like you took a second shower... A hot sweaty one lol! I don't even use a heater in summer. I CANNOT believe you found him lucky dog!

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KayedeeLove<3 wrote:I live in jax fl and as long as he had shade... Its 100% possible, unique to find him again, but completely possible! Our humidity is so high when u walk out the door that you feel like you took a second shower... A hot sweaty one lol! I don't even use a heater in summer. I CANNOT believe you found him lucky dog!

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Jax was 45 mins where i lost that crab. Putnam county FL lol

joe84 wrote:

KayedeeLove<3 wrote:I live in jax fl and as long as he had shade... Its 100% possible, unique to find him again, but completely possible! Our humidity is so high when u walk out the door that you feel like you took a second shower... A hot sweaty one lol! I don't even use a heater in summer. I CANNOT believe you found him lucky dog!

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Jax was 45 mins where i lost that crab. Putnam county FL lol

Omg!!! That is outrageous! I know where your talking about to haha! He was just like ok Im done now take me home sir!

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That is a great story about finding your hermit crab 3 months later! That gives me hope!

Also, I will try the salt water. Do you happen to know what ratio of salt/water is best? And we do live in North Carolina so right now we definitely have a humid climate so that is good! Thanks for all of your help everyone!

Table salt is harmful to hermit crabs. For their salt water, you can purchase "Instant Ocean" salt from the petstore and mix it with dechlorinated water. All water for crabs should be dechlorinated. A commonly used brand is Seachem Prime which would be in the fish section along with the salt. 1/2 cup of Instant Ocean to every gallon of dechlorinated water. I know this seems out of the way and unecessary, but tap water and table salt can both harm your crab. This should help attract the Wanderer (sounds like a zombie show, lol)

Just curious, do you have any other crabs? If so, these might help! I don't know your current crabby setup, but they should always have salt water and fresh water, both dechlorinated and the SW with safe salt as listed above ^^^ and in the link below.

Here is some basic crab care sheet:
viewtopic.php?f=51&t=92457

And a water forum:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92553

And food:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=92557

My husband just happens to have Aquarium salt. Would that be safe? I am very new to hermit crabs.

What is the brand? The second link lists safe salts, but I can check if you give the brand. And don't worry about it, we were all new once.