Hello Happy Crabbers! I'm really new and have questions for friendly ears!!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:08 am

Briefly about me, I'm 27 in a few weeks time, used to own a Rainbow Crab - Elvis. So when I saw Land Hermit Crabs for sale last week in France I simply fell in love all over again! I very nearly brought myself a little crab off of the somewhat dodgy looking fellas on the stall. They had lots of different types, all in painted shells (which originally caught my attention!) So very glad I listened to my instincts and my bf's sensible side and decided to get one when we returned to England. Having been reading up on various websites the past two days, learning some very contrasting information I finally stumbled on this forum. Thank goodness!In the past half hour I have all ready learnt so much more than some of the websites can offer! Including how foul I would have felt if I indeed was the owner of one little painted critter! As learnt on this thread http://landhermitcrabs.com/eve...5101988/m/8594056008 just how dangerous and sometimes cruel it is! I also have learnt now that I can't have just one crabbie. (What a shame, I get to have lots because it's mean to have only one!!! Sorry in advance to the BF! LOL) I have my old tank from Elvis, and have yet to dig it all out so may need to replace bits, but so far my biggest problem is not the equipment. It is finding someone who stocks the crabs! I'm not sure how I feel about having them shipped, and the only places I have found so far that do ship to the UK don't look up to standard. Can anyone advise on this???I wanted Strawberry ones, but have read these are the hardest to keep? So I'm planning on finding some Ecuadorians to start off with. Again any advice appreciated!Will be very greatful to any help I can get starting off my ethical and happy crabitat! Cheers everyone!!

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:28 am

I have seen my local pet shop and it's pop and mom shop they have a few strawberries out in a open tank by a window with little or no substrate, little water / food and some how they have survived now for months!!!! this place is in iowa. i would love to have one but I have 4 p.p. now in a 55 gal they are med to large, just really don't want any more, going to be hitting the big 50 this november! had my first crabs since 2009 was basically forced on me cause my son went to college and left him so he got a buddy, I have had others but had only lost 3 to molting issues, but had 6 p.p.'s now only have 4. not getting any more. I only have 2 of them named slate and crabby paddy the rest have no names, i don't play with them, they are just conversation animals. I treat them like they are the wild creatures that they are. mine love to hang out in the tank, they don't hide, I have had many huts and hideys and they never used them. I have 3 boys and one girl so when june rolls around I take her out because of mating season , they gang up on her.

Post by **JediMasterThrash** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:08 am

If the store is reputable and experienced in shipping crabs, it should be OK, but watch the current temperature. It shouldn't be too cold or too hot in case they are sitting in a box on your front step for a few hours.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:31 am

Welcome to LHC! Definitely a wealth of good info here from people who have been keeping crabs successfully for years. I don't know what I'd have done without them. I know that livehermitcrabs.com is a popular site and I think they might ship to you. Hermitcrabpatch.com also sells hermies but they have more strict rules so I'm not sure if they will ship overseas.My advice is to start with a fabulous set up so you can truly let the crabs get settled without too much disruption for the first month. So many of us have to mess with their crabitat at first to get it right!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:26 am

ThankQ everyone! Cheers finalfantasyxiiI shall check those sites out now! :0)

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:50 am

sadly both sites do not offer UK shipping. But it is okay, I'm sure with perseverance I may find some within the UK. I would much prefer my crabs turn up happy and healthy rather than stressed or DOA from a long shipping trip. Cross your fingers for me please and wish me luck!

jgfceit · Post by **jgfceit** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 2:55 am

Welcome!I just Googled that, and this is something to look into:http://absolutely-crabulous.co.uk/

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:56 am

Thanx jgfceit, I have tried that site, and it is where I found alot of my info, but they have quite a few dead webpages. Might see if I can get hold of the people who run it tho. xx

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:33 am

Wow I am bummed neither of the sites would ship to UK but I suppose it's better to find something local. Good luck and keep us posted!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:56 am

Have finally found a supplier of PP's. Wasn't exactly what I was looking for but I'm sure they're just as cute! Has anyone got PP's?

jgfceit · Post by **jgfceit** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:54 am

A lot of us have PP"s, since they're relatively easy to take care of and common in pet stores.

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:58 am

Are they just as fun? I read somewhere (god knows where as have been reading too many sites!) that they are a bit "boring", can't be handled and aren't very active. Though I am learning quickly through this forum not to trust much that I've read else where. LOL. x

Geranium · Post by **Geranium** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:01 pm

They can all seem boring at first, especially during their ISO time but once you get to know the personalities. I find my PPs, especially the ones I've known the longest are great fun. None of mine like to be handled, some just put up with more, most of whom are the PPs. I have three Es currently and they are fun. They are much more active and move much faster but this can get irritating. Think hyperactive puppy! They are also much more succeptible to stress and climate changes. One of my PPs churrs at me to warn me off, another is a drama queen complete with wardrobe changes, my littlest PP would chirp so much that I thought we had baby birds nesting outside their window, the really big new guys aren't the least bit intimidated by me will ignore me unless I pick them up to clean then they try to reach around to remove my fingers. But the big guys are also the ones who watch me cook eggs, knowing some is for them. I love them all though.I agree, I trust the information here and only other places if they check out on here.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:48 pm

PP's are the usual starter crabs. Totally great I love all 14 of mine!

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 11:53 pm

ThankQ all for your comments. Very reassuring. I am now looking forward to having PP's! I'm house sitting at the moment, so have still not been able to get home to set up my crabitat! Am super excited about it though! I will keep you all posted on the progress, I feel I may have many more questions to ask along the way!