Are hermit crabs good pets?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:37 pm

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:41 pm

Yes, I have so much fun with mine. But they do require a certain amount of work to get a good set-up that the hermies will thrive in. they need a glass tanks, substrate (sand works well), fresh and salt water, hidey places, things to climb on, temp and humidity gauges, food (fresh is best) and, depending on where you live, a heat and/or humidity source. Personally, I think it is worth it. I am addicted to hermies and love playing with mine and watching them scurry about the crabitat.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:42 pm

That depends on what you're looking for in a pet.

They're easy to care for, relatively inexpensive after the initial investment, and can be interesting to watch and handle. They're not cuddly, though, and you can't really play with them. They don't really do tricks, either.

Tell us what you want in a pet, and we'll tell you if hermit crabs are a good option. :)

Edit: I should clairify: When I say "play", I mean games like fetch and stuff. They don't really work with hermies.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:47 pm

while you can play with hermies (excessive playing isn't reccomended) they aren't exactley what I would call hands on pets in the sense that they are cuddly and like to be held.

They are more of a 'watch' pet.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:56 pm

I never gave hermit crabs a second thought until our 4 year old son became enthralled with them every time we went to the pet store for dog & cat food. I expected them to not be interesting and just something that would take up space... now I know better!

I was amazed at how excited my whole family became about them, and how much fun they are to watch! (When they wake up at night. Be aware that they are nocturnal, but some species are more active during the day than others.) I wouldn't have ever thought that they had personality, I was wrong!!

Like annopia said, once you have the right set-up in place, they are so much fun to watch! We take ours out every once in a while. Not often at all, and not for very long. Only a few minutes at a time. They do take a little bit of work, but not very much. Just like any pet, fresh food & water (Salt & fresh) every day, a waste clean up once a week, and a deep clean every 3 months or so, depending on tank size.

This is absolutely the BEST place I've found for information, and to ask questions about hermit crabs. Everyone here is very friendly and willing to help answer things or point you in the right direction.

Welcome to the HCA!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:21 pm

Well now, Hermit crabs are pretty expensive to get a good setup going, I won't go into the list of requirements and nessecities but for two crabs, a 10 gal, food, salt water, shells, UTH, a sprayer, dishes, substrate (depends what you buy really, one block of EE is about $3 i think and you gan get quite a bit of playsand for cheap) Gauges, climing, toys and all it's somewhere around $60 (with good prices on everything) give or take a few. Almost a year into crabbing I've spent more than umm... Let's just say quite a lot

don't want to think about that number any longer, ah well its worth it!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:02 pm

They're good pets if you do enough research. They can be very costly.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:16 pm

ya like ive got about (including the cost of all the crabs I bought) 400 into them in a month and half...or has it been 2 now, oh well time fly's when your having fun taking care of the crabs

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:53 am

i agree with ALHC on the costly thing, they are great pets once you do everything right with them, and offer them the correct and needed things, which can add up to a lot sometimes.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:18 am

They are a good pet, but not a really an easy or cheap pet, until you get your equipment and conditions down pat. That said, I am so glad to have done that and to enjoy them day after week after month after year . . .

Willow · Post by **Willow** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:39 pm

Yes! That's what I was going to say----NOT easy, NOT cheap (I once reckoned the price of a decent 10 gallon set-up at $75.00----and **nobody*** sticks to a 10g for very long, you'll probably end up with a larger tank fairly soon)......but very cool. Everything about them is cool, moulting is fascinating to even think about, their behavior and interactions are really interesting. Although if you only have a few hermies, it can get really boring when they're all down moulting.

But, again, it depends what you want in a pet. Do you want something warm and fuzzy, that licks your face and wants to be with you all the time? Then you should get a dog. If you want some cool, but sometimes not very exciting, crustacean pets, then hermies are for you.

dbolack · Post by **dbolack** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 6:57 pm

Crabby_Gal wrote:Are hermit crabs good pets?

I find a fish analogy fairly apt, though some might disagree with one particular aspect of it.

You need to make an effort to keep the habitat "safe" ( IE, non-toxic and secure from say, cats, toddlers, etc. ) and feed and water properly.

I find them to be a better watching pet, again, like fish, than interactive pet, though if your crabs are fearless enough, some seem to not mind more than a modicum of handling. The other bit, which my wife enjoys a lot more than I do, is that crabbies, in general, enjoy you rearranging the habitat a good deal more than fish likely do.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:50 pm

In my opinion, in order to be a good owner of hermit crabs, one must be able to be very patient. Hermit crabs, contrary to popular belief, are very delicate animals which go through a very delicate life cycle. Of my 7 crabs, no more then 2-3 are above the ground at any given time, there was even a period of 4-6 weeks where there were 0 up. They bury themselve for a multitude of reasons, and it can be very upsetting sometimes. They especially like doing this when you first bring them home, as well, so don't get discouraged if your crabs aren't "excited" about their new home, they are just stressed out. Just keep doing your research and you should be fine. There is a plethora of information here, and we're all always happy to answer questions. Good luck in your decision!

BTW - I love my crabs and am a very happy owner

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:05 am

I always like to liken caring for hermit crabs to raising orchids. Involved, and confusing untill you know what you are doing. The other thing I like to say when people ask me is that my cats take way less time and energy that my crabbies do.

That said, my family is fascinated with them. We love to watch them change shells, and see thier color changes after a molt. We like to see what they like to eat. They are fun.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:25 am

I would definately say that they are a good pet, but I will say that they can be time consuming and expensive. They remind me a very great deal of lizards in that they need a very specific environment to survive and thrive. My kids and I absolutely adore our hermies. Just read the information and make the most informed decision that you can for your situation. What ever animal you choose, I'm sure that you will provide it a loving home.

~jenn

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Are hermit crabs good pets?

Are hermit crabs good pets?

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