New, need help
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Tardigrades
Topic author - Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:27 pm
New, need help
Hi! I am new to the hermit crabs. I just deleted my post because I posted it in the wrong topic. I am trying to decide if hermit crabs are the right pet for my family. I have 3 young boys obsessed with all crabs. I love animals and have birds, fish, shrimp and a cat. That is some info on us. I have been trying to read, but the habitat I can't seem to understand correctly. Maybe I am reading from too many sources. Is there any good basic reading on that plus hermitcrabs with kids? Thanks! I will be reading in the meantime.
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landlubber
- Posts: 672
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:53 pm
- Location: Akron Oh
Re: New, need help
Hi there, and welcome to the HCA!
The most important things about the crabitat is deep, crab appropriate substrate like play sand or eco earth or a combination of both, sand castle consistency so they can make caves for molting. Also monitoring temps and humidity, which ideally should be around 80 for both. They cannot breath without high humidity so the gauges are important to know where these stats are at. And climbing and hiding space. You should get the largest tank you can afford because these guys grow. I've had crabs grow to the next size up in a year.
With kids, many children don't have the developmental maturity to take care of hermit crabs on their own and would need to be double checked that they are staying on track with maintenance and care. Also, hermit crabs can pinch (which I'm sure you realize, but a good pinch can put a child off on the hermit crabs they previously loved), and many crabs prefer not to be handled (but some do) so you'll want to conisder whether or not your kids will be satisfied with a pet they may not be able to play with, is nocturnal so not very active during the day, and pets they might not see for weeks and weeks when they molt. If your kids are good at taking responsibility for other critters, and don't mind the other issues I mentioned hermit crabs can be great pets for children.
If you have any specific questions we'll be happy to answer them!
The most important things about the crabitat is deep, crab appropriate substrate like play sand or eco earth or a combination of both, sand castle consistency so they can make caves for molting. Also monitoring temps and humidity, which ideally should be around 80 for both. They cannot breath without high humidity so the gauges are important to know where these stats are at. And climbing and hiding space. You should get the largest tank you can afford because these guys grow. I've had crabs grow to the next size up in a year.
With kids, many children don't have the developmental maturity to take care of hermit crabs on their own and would need to be double checked that they are staying on track with maintenance and care. Also, hermit crabs can pinch (which I'm sure you realize, but a good pinch can put a child off on the hermit crabs they previously loved), and many crabs prefer not to be handled (but some do) so you'll want to conisder whether or not your kids will be satisfied with a pet they may not be able to play with, is nocturnal so not very active during the day, and pets they might not see for weeks and weeks when they molt. If your kids are good at taking responsibility for other critters, and don't mind the other issues I mentioned hermit crabs can be great pets for children.
If you have any specific questions we'll be happy to answer them!
6 PPs, 4 Straws, 3 Es * 1 Teeny, 6 Smalls, 4 Mediums, 1 large and 1 Jumbo in a 70 gallon
1 Boxer puppy, 1 Yorchie mutt, 1 cat, 1 ball python, 1 boa
1 Boxer puppy, 1 Yorchie mutt, 1 cat, 1 ball python, 1 boa
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Tardigrades
Topic author - Posts: 9
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:27 pm
Re: New, need help
Thanks for your help. I have an idea for a crab home that might work a little better for me. I just want to know if it make sense. I will post it in the other topic