Unsafe Food List from EH

[mrscrabmadness]

oak bark i have used in my tank cause they love to eat it! i soaked it in salt water and baked it but must not of got it long enough cause either my bark had bugs and it infested my tank or it was a type of fruit fly, it looked more like a bug you find in woods.

[Jackolope]

I'm sorry but who the heck gives crabs tobacco?????????

[Kaleighshermies]

peppermint leaves, rose blossoms, spearmint leaves, orange blossoms.... This is what i've been giving my crabs..... It says peppermint isnt safe is it toxic? also what about the others are they safe?

[JediMasterThrash]

The list was compiled by some experts in the field, due to research and feeding trials. Some foods may contain an insecticide element, but it might not be in high enough quantity to pose a severe risk. Some foods just tend to be avoided by crabs. They might not be toxic, they just won't be eaten. Given sufficient variety I think crabs can regulate their eating to what their bodies know is best. But the general recommendation is to avoid things on the list. Further research, experiments, and updates are always welcome.

[wodesorel]

It's been two years that my PPs have been living with the cherry tree - eating it, sleeping on it, and molting next to it. Aside from some cases of cannibalism and the mysterious death of Edwina in the moss pit last year there have been no other unexplained deaths during that time. In fact, I think they rather like it.

Can we call cherry wood safe?

[Rocky]

I had cherry branches in my tank for a few months with no ill effects, but I didn't know it was on the unsafe list! Mine seemed to love it, though

[elehcim2008]

What about cooked white rice or basmati rice?

[Rebecca C]

What about cooked white rice or basmati rice?

Rice is okay as long as it is unseasoned.

[HaydenHermie]

As far onion, I think that's on the safe side. I think the main reason why Onion would be on the bad side is because Hermits aren't exactly taken to it, and normally don't eat it. But I know some hermies who've been eating onion with no negative affects. In fact, some love it. Then again, I haven't exactly done chemical investigation in the actual veggie.

Anyways, that's my two cents. =)

[Rebecca C]

As far onion, I think that's on the safe side. I think the main reason why Onion would be on the bad side is because Hermits aren't exactly taken to it, and normally don't eat it. But I know some hermies who've been eating onion with no negative affects. In fact, some love it. Then again, I haven't exactly done chemical investigation in the actual veggie.

Anyways, that's my two cents. =)

Here is a previous post:

Good question! Onions are toxic to companion mammals (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) due to toxins that cause the oxidation of hemoglobin, essentially killing them by causing severe anemia. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1&aid=2414

Would those same chemicals affect hermit crabs since they're system is so different? And then there's the big question of if they would even eat them if they were safe, since fruits would be much more attractive due to the higher sugar content.

If that is true, it has nothing to do with them liking it or being used to it; I'm sorry to say.

Like with dogs, chocolate is poisonous to them but they love it...they have a sweet-tooth like we do and seek it out. But it is still poison to them. ;/

[wodesorel]

Like with dogs, chocolate is poisonous to them but they love it...they have a sweet-tooth like we do and seek it out. But it is still poison to them. ;/

I was going to point out that the only reason it's sweet is because we make it that way, but even then dogs will still get into unsweetened cocoa powder and cocoa mulch, so it has to be the smell/taste they are after. The sugar and fat in chocolate bars doesn't help them not want it though. (And the whole "chocolate will kill your dog" my actually be overblown anyway - http://io9.com/5905170/could-eating-cho ... l-your-dog - it seems that, like with most anything you can eat, it's too much that will kill ya.)

[Rebecca C]

I was going to point out that the only reason it's sweet is because we make it that way, but even then dogs will still get into unsweetened cocoa powder and cocoa mulch, so it has to be the smell/taste they are after. The sugar and fat in chocolate bars doesn't help them not want it though. (And the whole "chocolate will kill your dog" my actually be overblown anyway - http://io9.com/5905170/could-eating-cho ... l-your-dog - it seems that, like with most anything you can eat, it's too much that will kill ya.)

True...unfortunately, my Bichon got a hold of a huge hershey's kiss from Easter, a few years back, and ate a good amount of it before we could get it away from her. She was sick, but luckily she threw it all up within a few hours and was okay a while after. She is still alive today.

[Craftycrabber]

I am interested in this question too gp. i have lots of oak trees, leaves, and branches as well as bark to use but I surely don't want to chance getting little mites in my crabitats.

[Happy Crabber]

I have a huge bulb of organic fennel. I don't see it on either list. Thoughts?

[deesjebeesje]

Pine needles are not safe for crabs?
Hmm that could be the probleme why my crabs where going to died?
So I post it some where here that I got a probleme that my crabs died, but i put moss in my tank, that moss came from a forrest, and in that moss where alle pine needles, no crabs are died no, becauese i cleaned the tank I also trow the mos away.
I must be very carefull the next time, no moss no more from a forrest.