Reptiles with Hermies?

[hermitcrablover2]

Hi, I was wondering if I could keep a reptile that likes humidity and heat (crested gecko, anole lizard, chamaleon, etc.) or some sort of insect like a horn caterpillar or a tarantula with hermit crabs?

[Hermiecrab]

It's generally advised against doing that - Putting these animals together causes a lot of unnecessary stress.

For something like a chameleon, that's a huge no no. Chameleons are immensely fragile. I wouldn't risk it.

Also, many reptiles need basking lamps, which would immediately zap most humidity. It might work fine if you were spraying down the tank, but you really shouldn't be doing that for your crabs.

For something like a crested gecko, the height to width requirements also wouldn't be compatible with crabs.

A good question though!

Edit: I don't know about a caterpillar or a tarantula, but my gut instinct says no.

[curlysister]

No. Hermit crabs aren't really compatible with other pets in an enclosure.

[hermitcrablover2]

Okay, thanks!

[hermitcrablover2]

Also I saw that you can have isopods with hermies, does that mean raise and care for them in a seperate tank then occasionally put a few in the crabitat, or do you just completely care and raise the isopods in the crabitat?

[ROSIEonFIRE]

I think people just straight up have isopods in their crabitats but I've heard they have a tendency to take over

[Jlmills525]

Isopods and springtails are considered clean up crew's and as long as you don't let them overpopulate they can be beneficial. Especially in a large crabitat or one that is well "stocked" for foraging.

[hermitcrablover2]

Thank you! I'd be a little bit worried in case they over populate, instead of keeping them in the crabitat can I use a seperate tank then just drop a few isopods in every now and then?

[ROSIEonFIRE]

You certainly could but I suspect you would just end up with isopods in the tat

[hermitcrablover2]

Yeah, if I did that I'd have to make sure all the isopods in the crabitat were either male or female or else there'd be isopods everywhere!

[Jlmills525]

Honestly unless you are seriously overfeeding, they should not over populate. Here are a couple of threads that deal with clean up crews.
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... w#p1119953
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... w#p1119649
https://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB ... w#p1115025