how often do crabs eat?

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:44 am

do crabs eat every day? i have noticed that my little guy always eats either during the night or in the afternoon, but some days i swear he just stops eating. do they eat and drink at a schedule?

angelbearpuppy · Post by **angelbearpuppy** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 1:57 pm

Crabs eat every day. Just like you do. But they eat in such small amounts, that it is hardly ever noticeable. Especially if you put in a lot, and only have a few crabs. If they are living, they are eating. And as long as you feed them a healthy varied diet you do not have to worry.

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 2:50 pm

ok, thank you so much! you are always a great help with my questions!

Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 8:52 pm

Also sometimes they eat the moss, the substrate and the bits of food that has fallen into the substrate. And I have come to find out that they actually store food in their shells. Guess it's for a late night or midmorning snack. Lol

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Tue Mar 05, 2019 8:46 am

Overmountain1 · Post by **Overmountain1** » Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:43 am

[quote="Hermiesguardian"And I have come to find out that they actually store food in their shells. Guess it's for a late night or midmorning snack. Lol[/quote]

Seriously?! That’s hysterical! I had no idea. Crazy crabbies...

Dave the Wondercrab~Patpat the Scaredy Cat~MaggieMoo-Dumbo~Billy

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:03 am

mine once tried to fit an entire peice of fruit salad in his shell, and i had no idea what he was doing... LOL

btw is it common for a crab to rub his claws and legs together and clean his eyes whith his mouth? mine did that for 5 min yesterday... also, welcome salsa back! he came up from his first succesful molt and regenerated his leg segment! i am so happy! acorn went right up to him and they just looked at each other for a long time. then acorn climbed a branch and salsa tried to fallow him. LOL they are best freinds.

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:04 am

hey overmountain1, nice profile pic!

PinchersAndShells · Post by **PinchersAndShells** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:15 am

purplepincher wrote: ↑
Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:03 am
btw is it common for a crab to rub his claws and legs together and clean his eyes whith his mouth? mine did that for 5 min yesterday...

Yes, this is one of the ways they clean themselves. It's pretty interesting to watch.

odelayheehoo · Post by **odelayheehoo** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:35 am

I feed my crabs every day or every other, and they most likely eat some of the food each time, but they won't eat if they aren't hungry.

purplepincher · Post by **purplepincher** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:42 am

now i know how crabs groom themselves. it is really cool! also, i feed mine in medium amounts each day. even if they dont eat it, they always have a choice.

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:55 pm

Hermiesguardian wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 04, 2019 8:52 pm
Also sometimes they eat the moss, the substrate and the bits of food that has fallen into the substrate. And I have come to find out that they actually store food in their shells. Guess it's for a late night or midmorning snack. Lol

I've never heard of this. They store water in their shells, and typically they drag food off and bury it for later.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association