HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I've been browsing the forum for the past several hours doing research, and this seems to be the best forum with the most accurate information on hermit crabs, so I finally decided to register.

I will be going to town tomorrow to look for some hermit crabs and to buy the supplies I still need. I live literally in the middle of nowhere here in Oregon (USA), where it's at least a 2-3 hour drive one way to an actual town/city. I have tarantulas and (gargoyle) geckos, so I have quite a bit of the supplies I will need, including a 20 gallon tank sitting empty (a real danger to reptile and tarantula keepers). But there are still a few things I need (dechlorinator, sea salt mix, shells, etc.). Since I'm having to go such a long way, I will be bringing along one of my critter keepers for transport, as I do not trust any "carriers" the store may have for them (which are usually just flimsy boxes with no traction).

I actually decided to get hermit crabs when I was looking up something about turtles for someone on another forum. I don't know how I managed to get on hermit crabs, but I did. I've been wondering how to spend the few dollars a sister sent me for my birthday (which was today, and that was my only present), and decided on something that will last a while. I helped someone care for their hermit crabs many many years ago, and from what little I remember, they were kept in horrible conditions, but that's how shops told you to keep them. I hope to provide much better housing and care for the hermit crabs I will be purchasing (though I will probably end up "saving" some from Petco).

I don't have any questions yet, as everything seems to be covered in the forums, but I'll be sure to ask in the appropriate forum sections if I have any!

Anira wrote:I've been browsing the forum for the past several hours doing research, and this seems to be the best forum with the most accurate information on hermit crabs, so I finally decided to register.

I will be going to town tomorrow to look for some hermit crabs and to buy the supplies I still need. I live literally in the middle of nowhere here in Oregon (USA), where it's at least a 2-3 hour drive one way to an actual town/city. I have tarantulas and (gargoyle) geckos, so I have quite a bit of the supplies I will need, including a 20 gallon tank sitting empty (a real danger to reptile and tarantula keepers). But there are still a few things I need (dechlorinator, sea salt mix, shells, etc.). Since I'm having to go such a long way, I will be bringing along one of my critter keepers for transport, as I do not trust any "carriers" the store may have for them (which are usually just flimsy boxes with no traction).

I actually decided to get hermit crabs when I was looking up something about turtles for someone on another forum. I don't know how I managed to get on hermit crabs, but I did. I've been wondering how to spend the few dollars a sister sent me for my birthday (which was today, and that was my only present), and decided on something that will last a while. I helped someone care for their hermit crabs many many years ago, and from what little I remember, they were kept in horrible conditions, but that's how shops told you to keep them. I hope to provide much better housing and care for the hermit crabs I will be purchasing (though I will probably end up "saving" some from Petco).

I don't have any questions yet, as everything seems to be covered in the forums, but I'll be sure to ask in the appropriate forum sections if I have any!

I'm so happy for you! I recently saved some hermies from Petco as well. I was so surprised and confused at how horrible the conditions they left them in was! This was before I became so engrossed in the hermit crab community, but my first thought was "this is a pet store- aren't you supposed to care for the pets properly?!", but I guess not. Do you have a design for your crabitat planned out yet?


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Hi! Welcome to the HCA. I'm sure you'll find them as fascinating and entertaining as all of us do. Just be prepared for at least a month of not seeing them much, or them not doing a lot. After they destress is when things get really fun with them!

landlubber wrote:Hi! Welcome to the HCA. I'm sure you'll find them as fascinating and entertaining as all of us do. Just be prepared for at least a month of not seeing them much, or them not doing a lot. After they destress is when things get really fun with them!

I hardly ever see half of my tarantulas, so I'm used to it.

@biancaalexis: I never have plans for any of my set ups. I make them up as I go along. I tend to change my mind too often for planning anyway.

I get so angry when I see the birds at pet stores (I'm usually going in for bird supplies and don't see the rest of the animals). I have an amazon parrot and some budgies as well. Those poor birds are so stressed, terrified, and angry.

Anira wrote: I hardly ever see half of my tarantulas, so I'm used to it.

@biancaalexis: I never have plans for any of my set ups. I make them up as I go along. I tend to change my mind too often for planning anyway.

I get so angry when I see the birds at pet stores (I'm usually going in for bird supplies and don't see the rest of the animals). I have an amazon parrot and some budgies as well. Those poor birds are so stressed, terrified, and angry.

Same! I just bought a bunch of fake plants for my 20g and I'm so excited to build it up after getting some sand.
That's so sad i think I was traumatized about having birds because i gave my birds to my sister to watch when I was moving and she decided to deep clean her house and all the chemical smells killed my sweet birds


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Welcome aboard, Anira, and a happy belated birthday, too !

Got my crabs yesterday! "Saved" them from Petco (I know it just gives them money to get more). The poor "fancy" crabs had painted shells, but they were too pricey to buy. I did buy four crabs, but they are so small.

I did check Craigslist first, but the only hermit crabs posted were a good 4+ hours in the opposite direction (we rarely go that direction) and the lady wanted experienced keepers only (though she has no idea what she'll do with them if no one takes them).

#1:


#2:


#3 (didn't want to come out when I was holding it, but came out after being placed in the tank):



And #4 (didn't want to show itself at all, though I think it ended up somewhere near the shell shop):


#1 & 2 ate immediately. #3 roams a bit, but is very shy. Whenever it sees me it hides in its shell. #4 likes to hide.

Petco is ridiculous with transport containers (well, they're ridiculous with everything). They use the same flimsy cardboard boxes for all of the critters. The lady tried to use a HUGE one for these four little guys. Told her to just use a small one, as I had a container in the car for them (with substrate, a hide, and those fake flowers in the pics).

They do look rather cute. Hopefully they enjoy your setup. (looking forward to update pics)

Nice variety of colors -- looks like no two are the same. I know what you're saying re Petco and those "one size fits all" cardboard carriers! At least PetSmart puts hermit crabs in an opaque plastic tub with a clear lid and a moist paper towel for their trip home.

Aww, what little cutie pies!