Newbie!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:54 pm

Hi there! I'm completely new to hermit crabs (the one we have actually belongs to my brother). I think Doctor Hopper is a PP. He's adorable! He was chirping when I first took him out of his tank, which I gather means he didn't feel safe, but within a short while was quiet and running all over my hands.

I do have some questions, especially about feeding. He has some food pellets from the pet store, which I haven't seen him eat yet, though he might have eaten some while I wasn't watching. But we've offered him bits of fresh fruits and veggies, and he hasn't eaten that either. He just ran his feelers over the pieces and then walked off. Should we be worried about that? What foods do they especially like?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:48 am

Hi there, welcome to the HCA.

Crabs eat very, very little. I'm sure he's eating and you just can't tell.

I don't think there's many of us left that feed commerical food. It has perservitives that could be dangerous to crabs over the long run. Fresh organic is definatly the way to go.

Even then you may have to introduce a food several times before you have takers. Then they'll eat it every time. Everyone's crabs seem so different when it comes to food, it's very weird. Mine LOVE chicken, yams and akamak crackers.

The key to an all natural diet is variety. You don't want these scavengers to be lacking something. To the right, under Emergancy Care and Link, Crab care FAQ there is a safe foods list.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:55 am

I haven't had a chance to switch to organic food yet, so mine are still on commercial food. When I first got Peabop he was a finicky eater... and he had trouble breaking down the big pellets. So I crush them and sprinkle them around so that he feels like he's finding it... hermie hunting! My little guys don't like fresh fruit or anything wet/sticky like peanutbutter or honey

I just leave some of the crushed pellets and fruit treat in there for when they're ready. And like Crabber said, each crab has its own taste, so you could try experimenting to see what he likes.

annopia · Post by **annopia** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:15 am

welcome to the HCA! my crabs favorite foods are: apricots, strawberries, and coconut.

Caroline

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:55 am

Welcome! My crabs all seem to really like Applesauce, Carrots, and Mango's. Good Luck finding foods your Crab will like.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:05 pm

One of my newest crabs devoured a piece of lettuce the other night, but the other crabs looked at him like he was nuts. So I think what the others said is right, just keep trying different things, eventually he'll find something he likes.

I also put baby shrimp in the tank almost daily. They all seem to really like those.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:30 am

Wow, thanks for the tips, guys. Now I have another question: I read on Christa's site that hermies in the wild have a very rainy environment. Would it be OK to bring the Doc outside in the rain, provided the weather is still warm?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:03 am

I don't see any issues with it. I think it would be fun.