~Looking into getting a crab~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:30 pm

I posted earlier on the Carbitat board, about what size of aquarium I should get! I'm not sure if I am allowed to get crabs at the moment, but I'm trying my best!! Anyways, there were just a few things I was wondering about... so if you could just explain a bit, that'd be great

=
~Molting
~Good shells and Bad shells
~How long to Hermmies live in captivity??
~Other stuff that you probably won't find in a book or something, but is VERY important!

Please and thanks! I'm doing as much research as I can... but I'm still sort of confused!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:40 pm

I can't help much about molting, as my crabs do this on their own and I never witness it.

Shells: depends on what kind of crab you have, and what preference each crab has. PPs generally like turbos, and Es generally like shells with oval openings like murex shells.

I have read that hermits can live 4-5 years in captivity, and know some people on here have had some live at least a year or two. It depends on how much stress the crab is under and tank conditions.

Hope this helped a little bit. Your questions are vague, so I can't get into any more details. It all depends.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:43 pm

Sorry

I wasn't really sure exactly how to word stuff

Ummm... Lemme think... Well, to start off, does anyone have any pictures of shells which are ussually good? Just so I know roughly what type to look for maybe? (if I'm allowed to get a crab that is

)

For molting, what exactly do they look like before molting? And what should I do to make their molting go better?

OIF_VET · Post by **OIF_VET** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:46 pm

http://www.geocities.com/hermit_crabs/carol/gallery.htm

Carol Of Crabworks has had Hermits I think 27 and 28 years...
Kate the Crab and
Jonathon Livingston Crab.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:49 pm

I have some pics of my crabs that might help:
THis is Goliath the PP in a Tapestry Turbo

THis is what my Es like

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:51 pm

Thanks you guys! I was just looking at a few more boards... and I was wondering, what do you think of handling crabs and stuff?? I'm confused by everyones opinions

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:56 pm

I, like many others, don't handle crabs except for on tank cleaning days. I provide a good environment including lots of things to climb on for exercise, so I don't feel the need to stress them out by handling them. When I do have them out, they just want to run away from me anyways, so they aren't like my bird or rats that want to play with me.

OIF_VET · Post by **OIF_VET** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:56 pm

Rightfully So...To be Confused...That my Dear one is a Hot Debate....Some of us Handle and Some are Hands Off.
Ultimately it is up to you.

The Same Goes for Bathing as Well...Another Hot Debate

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:01 pm

Hmmm... Okay

So... some crabs may like it, and others won't? I guess I should go check out some Hermit crab behaviour then

OIF_VET · Post by **OIF_VET** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:22 pm

Wheeew....Finally Found what I was Looking for...This is a Very Good Read about Bathing.

[Bathing Archive

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:27 pm

Thanks for the info (again!)! I was wondering, (if I am allowed to get a hermie), how could I bring him home without him getting too cold? It's winter where I am at the moment, and I'm afraid he'd be awfully cold, or dried out! What should I bring if I were to buy one?

OIF_VET · Post by **OIF_VET** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:14 pm

U can Do what I do...Make Sure the Vehicle in which ur Riding in is warm...And then Once ya Purchase the Hermie(s) Hide them under Ur Coat and try to keep them from getting a Draft....Keep them in ur coat till ya get home and then into the Tat

I am amazed at ur enthusiasm...This is Great! Ur thinking way ahead of the Curve. Good Job!
U might also want to Look around in the Archives...So much good info in there

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:50 pm

Hi there!

Just thought I'd post here again

I'm pretty sure I'll be allowed to get some Hermies for my birthday (which is in 15 days!!). But, I just wanna know if you think Hermit crabs make good pets, if I should get a hermit crab, or whatever else you think would be important. I've done my research and everything, but for some reason, every once and awhile, I'll ask myself WHY I want hermit crabs, but then other times I want to buy some so badly!! I'm so confused... What do you think?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:59 pm

Some people say hermit crabs don't DO enough (they should meet my cats-they lay around more than my crabs). There are periods of time I am frustrated by the fact that I don't see them for a while.

However, I think that makes them great pets because they can provide an important life lesson, PATIENCE! We are all so used to getting just want we want when he want it, hermits crabs teach us that not having instant gratification is OK.

Also, it increases one's powers of observation, I feel observation and noticing small details, like pre-molt signs is something else crabs teach us.

From a learning scientific standpoint, they are fascinating as well.

And let's not forget, THEY ARE SO DARN CUTE! And when they're active they provide all kinds of good, wholesome family entertainment.

I was trying to think of parent friendly reasons that you could clinch the deal with.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:01 pm

I know how that goes - hermies have been awesome. I m so glad that I got them.

but I have a wide range of pets too. I have hands on pets and hands off. if you want something to cuddle, and something that will learn to recognize you quickly (some hermies eventually seem to learn their owners) a hamster or rat would be MUCH better.

when I had to clean up a room for example, I would just carry my hamster around with me, and he didn't even try to escape. of coursehe tried the first couple times, but after a while he was content just sitting back and enjoying the 'tall' view! lol

and hamsters are easier to talk to than hermies....it doesn't seem like a hermie is listening when they go into their shells the moment you talk.

all in all, I am soooo glad that I got hermies! but if this is your one pet that you are aloud - think wisely. choose a pet that you will really love. even if you don't get hermies, you can still come hang out here!