HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I bought this from a local pet shop. It didn't say what type of wood this was, but it was in the reptile/turtle/hermit section of the store. I asked the owner and she said she thought it was ok for hermit crabs. What say you? I needed an additional hide for some newbies...

I can't tell from the bark ,but if it was pine it would have sap running out of it,how long have u had it in with your crabs? If it is the regular logs the pet shops sell I think they are ok.
l'd keep a eye on it if it starts to rot ,they all do if kept long enough.

I just got it yesterday, soaked it in salt water, and baked it for about 10 minutes. I don't SEE any sap and yes it can from a pet shop

I think it is fine, I have seen others with that. I have one for each of my snakes, both have high humidity & high heat. I've never had an issue with mold or sap, nor have I heard of it. One has a ee sub, other cedar sub.


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Pine in crabitats is a controversial topic.

The phenols in the sap are toxic to land hermit crabs.
Some crabbers who have had unexplained deaths have attributed them to the half logs, because that was the only common link between all of their habitats. However, crabs are subject to PPS and other unknown disease/parasite vectors from the wild so it is hard to pin that on the half logs themselves.

Use your best judgment.

It is important to remember that just because something is safe for reptiles or other small animals, does not mean it will be crab safe.

Something that works for reptiles could be toxic to crabs.

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I would remove it i wouldnt even take the chance maybe try to get a plastic hide so you know it's safe ?

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If it's flukers, it's Douglas fir.


Mine is. I had someone tell me it's safe.


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Mine was a ZooMed Habba Hut

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/Entry ... SearchID=1

Just looked it up and it says it's cut from natural fir...

MrTeacherDude wrote:http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/Entry ... SearchID=1

Just looked it up and it says it's cut from natural fir...

im not really up to par on what woods are safe, i would just check to make sure
whatever fur is on the safe list if so it should be ok. i just use a cocohut to avoid this
and im planning to make a hider plastic container / 2nd level contraption for my tank
soon anyway (may possibly cover in craft sticks if i can figure out how).

Guess I will figure something else out...

MrTeacherDude wrote:Guess I will figure something else out...

they make plastic castle huts i think dr. fosters and smith carries them
their is also cocohuts i would go for either of those just to be safe.
thats why i haven't really messed around with any woods for the most part.

Interesting topic! I don't have one for my hc's. The ones in my snake cages do not have sap and and were not cheap. I'd be surprised if they were pine. Better to be safe than sorry and not use it based on what everyone said.


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GotButterflies wrote:Interesting topic! I don't have one for my hc's. The ones in my snake cages do not have sap and and were not cheap. I'd be surprised if they were pine. Better to be safe than sorry and not use it based on what everyone said.


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yeah i would def just go for a cocohut or plastic hide to be safe.
i dont have enough experience so i just kind of dont take chances like that
but thats just me.