What temperature in the winter?

lpshiner · Post by **lpshiner** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:14 am

Hello wise ones, Was reading another thread and it got me wondering- what temperatures do most of you maintain in your tanks in the winter? With heater use etc.... what do you end up with? I got blasted (in private) on another board when I said that mine sometimes gets to 72 degrees *on the low end* sometimes in winter. I try to keep it 74, which is easy most of the time since it doesn't get cold here much, but it's cold *now*, so I'm wondering. Most of the year my tank is at 74-77 with no added heat, but I'm having to use my heat bulbs right now... since it does dry the tank some, I try to use "just warm enough"- what temp would that be?

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:20 am

I don't know why anyone would blast you and I'm sorry they did, I don't think it was justified. I try to keep it warmer and not drop below 72 but sometimes it happens and all you can do is take steps to reverse it without letting it stay there. I think one of the most important things in crabbing is to make checking your gauges a daily (or multiple times daily) habit.Here, so you can go back and beat whoever took you to task, flip this at them:Hermit-crabs.com - no lower than 72CrabStreetJournal - 70-85 " If your temperature falls below 70oF on a frequent basis you need a reliable and safe under tank heater."JMT's Basic Care guide - "75 and 85 degrees F. If the temperature falls below 70 degrees for too long, they begin to go dormant, and may not survive."TheCrabbagePatch (has no range, just an ideal temp) - "Remember the area you keep your cage in needs to remain at a fairly warm temperature (78deg. F is ideal). Cool temperatures cause the crabs to be less active."

mosher3 · Post by **mosher3** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:31 am

How do you tell if they are going dormant? My tanks are very quiet and most are buried.

lpshiner · Post by **lpshiner** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:40 pm

Yes, I would think you should not go below 72 on the cooler side of the tank.My crabs are a bit quiet too. One just up from molting, one buried and one out but not too active.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:52 pm

quote:Originally posted by mosher3:How do you tell if they are going dormant? My tanks are very quiet and most are buried. See, that's the thing, I don't know - but I imagine they would more or less stop moving altogether and you would know that your temp was too low just by looking at the gauge. Crabs that dig for environmental reasons will go under to escape too-hot conditions, but it would make less sense to dig to escape the cold because it's even cooler beneath the substrate than above it.I have had crabs in severe post-purchase shock where they literally stop moving and stay out of their shell, almost in a catatonic state. Dormancy would likely start out the same way, though with less of a sudden onset. Mine are always quieter this time of year than in late spring and summer.

mosher3 · Post by **mosher3** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:21 pm

Thanks Nicole, that makes sense that they would stay above ground. I think this is a nervous time of year for some of us owners, because of the changes in activity. Do you think with the lower temps (in the 70's rather then the 80's) that the crabs are feeling stressed? Or after awhile, do they adjust to the conditions?

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:02 am

I have all PPs and I would imagine out of all the species, they would stress out the least with the temp drop. However, as long as the temps are in a good (tropical) range - not much lower than 75* for the exotics especially - the crabs should adjust, particularly if one side of the tank is a bit warmer due to overhead lighting/UTH usage etc. where they can 'bask' if they choose. I have the crab tank near a picture window and I've caught the crabs from year to year looking outside at the snow when it's falling. I bet they're always like What the heck is that?

Annamy · Post by **Annamy** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:31 am

I am coming into this thread late.....sorry. I don't have a lot of time to get on here these days. But I have two thoughts/questions on this topic.One, is that after getting past my initial "orientation period" of crabbing, I have never had any problems with my temp or humidity. They are always at 80/80, if my water bowls are full, and if my lamp (infrared bulb)and heating pad is on. I do leave them on all the time, summer and winter. I have a mesh lid with a plexiglass sheet over the top. I had used plastic wrap and a thick towel, before I got the plexiglass and that did the trick too. But getting the plexiglass made it easier so I did not have to deal with the plastic wrap etc. But my point is that I never have to worry about it anymore, and I guess I take it for granted. So, I just thought I would throw it out there, in case it helps anyone. The other question is (perhaps a different post needed)......... didn't some of us find that over the winter months last year that there seemed to be a common finding....that our crabs were less active during December and January? I know that right now, of my seven crabs, I only see three of them, and not that often.Not sure that there was ever a firm "scientific" conclusion, but it felt better to know it was not just "my" crabs! LOL!I think it might have been Homer & Dude who started that thread??