All of my crabs were rescued from craigslist; they are kept in an expensive setup and have a very extravagant diet. Flax seeds, cuttlebone, corn meal, freeze dried mealworms and crickets, pears, chia seeds, wheat germ, and so much more. I love their personalities so much. My oldest one taps on the glass when he wants attention. He LOVES having me wave my fingers infront of him! I have very colorful nails and his little antennas and arms go crazy when he sees my nails! They are amazing creatures and as much as I would love for them to be free and wild; I'm grateful that the ones I have are kept in a good environment.. Unfortunately, the same cant be said for others..
Personally, I don't think it is cruel to have them as pets as long as they are well taken care of like they should be. All animals were wild at some point and then made into pets.
Hey! I am getting my hermit crab soon, can we message on some app so you could help me with some questions I had? I wanna keep the two I will get in the best possible environment!
I just got 2 hermits in a gift shop in florida...i feel so bad...but I wanna do right by them by taking care of them the way they deserve. Thank you for making these videos so maybe they can have a good life.
@@solitary.witch0077 luckily, my petco actually is fairly good at doing everything right to keep the hermit crabs alive. Even no painted shells! P.S. thanks for the reply
notes: no colored or calcium sand, painted shells are not preferred, get criagslist/adopted crabs, wild caught crabs can get stressed, no digging them up, no taking them out daily, change tank food and water daily, fruits and veggies are good even eggshells, they love to climb. thank u for the vid i’ll keep these in mind
I recently went into my locally owned pet store and was horrified to see hermit crabs in a 10 gallon tank, painted shells, NO substrate - they were just on the glass bottom, one dish of water....no sponge and one bowl of commercial food. Next to them was a huge display of everything a hermit crab needs!There were between 15-20 crabs in the tank.....I spoke to the girl working there and explained how they should be cared for. I doubt I made an impression, yet..it was all I could do to not buy them all. I just can't do pet stores anymore.
gosh ya im considering saving some from the pet store as well i’m building a little pool! it’s sad to see them with their cute little eyes begging to come out of that small tank 🥺
Omg, that's horrible. But that's normally the reason I get my smaller animals from pet stores (when it comes to dogs and cats, I adopt, dont shop). I get them from pet stores because they live such horrible lives, in such awful conditions, that I want to save them. And give them a better life
As sad that it is if people buy them to save them they will just order more crabs sadly you have to not buy them when they dont make money off the crabs they will stop but buying only fuels the stores unfortunately
I love hermit crabs, but I prefer to enjoy them while going beach combing instead of keeping them for many of the reasons you shared :) But you still can't deny their adorableness!
Honestly, I didn't know enough about hermit crab care when I bought mine, but I've researched a lot. I just spent $130, getting them a completely new set up and environment. They will have more space and all the stuff recommended for their care. It makes me mad how pet stores don't even sell the correct stuff to care for them.
Also, technically, all animals were wild at some point and then were made into pets. As long as they are taken care of completely, I don't see how it is so cruel to have them as pets.
Luckily here in Australia I walked into a pet store and I saw a 2 huge tanks for the hermit crabs. Each tank had 7 in it so it made me quite happy to know that at least some pet stores take care of out little friends
@Sakura mochii True, but sometimes they are not even happy as such. Most only live to survive in the wilderness. But, if you do take proper care of them and make them feel like in the natural habitat they were, while quitting them the need to worry about predators and starvation, for you keep them safe and fed, that's better than leaving them to the dangerous wild.
The neglect and abuse petstores do to the hermit crabs, proves they don't care for any of the animals. Once you see this. You can't unsee it, you'll start noticing all the animals are in wrong conditions. And no , it's not just my petstore. I tried that. So i went to 7 more. And i'm disgusted. People who care about animals don't work there. The people who work there are just that is the place that gave them a job.
i completely agree with what you said about calcium sand! i don’t understand why anyone would still use or promote it, especially with all of the alternatives available
When I was in the first grade my dad and I went to Petsmart after school one day to pick out some clothes for our dog. We had never seen hermit crabs before but we found them interesting and we ended up getting one that day even though had never done our research. Luckily my dad looked up essentials so we got it everything it needed to survive and a little extra for the tank. It lived for 5 years so we must have done some things right, though it should’ve lived for way longer. We never knew they were social creatures so unfortunately the first couple years we had her, she was alone. A couple years after we had gotten the first one though, my cousin gave us two more. She had found them in a trash can at her apartment complex in the middle of summer. We suspected that one of her neighbors moved out and didn’t want them anymore so they threw them away. They knew we had a hermit crab so she gave them to us. One was already an adult and the other was very tiny, so it was still very young. Sadly the small one passed away a week later due to being in the heat for too long. The bigger crab ended up living a year after the first crab died, so I had that one for about 4 years after receiving it. It’s been about 5 years since the last hermit crab died and I honestly missed having them, so the other day my mom and I went out and bought a bigger tank than before, new supplies, and the next day we got two new crabs. I’m honestly excited to have some again and I’ve been doing research for a month or so to make sure we were more ready than before.
I actually found a hermit crab breeder once, through a Facebook group. A very incredible facebook group. But most people say that they're the only person that they know of who has successfully bred them in captivity. I can try to find that information again, and see if it's still true like 5 or 6 years later - if anyone is interested :)
Thank you SO much about telling me about the calcium sand. I just recently got it two days ago and you don't know how fast I put the crabs back in their usual main habitat with the play sand. I washed them in their salt water bath and they are extremely happy now! You saved two hermit lives from a usual mistake for a beginner. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I just got mine last month, I am highly allergic to them, My aunt got me one and we found out we needed to get more so she isn't lonely,We are planning on either selling mine or moving them the the other side to my room, Idk yet
I work at a petco as a dog groomer. Someone dropped off a hermit crab in a tiny tank with sand and one water sponge and one tiny plant. I took him home and he is thriving now! I kind of want another but I am nervous to meet people on Craigslist... oh well. He’s a fun little guy and I hope he sticks around 😊
Simple care tips for these cuties: Make sure they have things that are calcium rich, that doesn’t mean milk, just look up calcium packed foods, then look up if they are safe for your crab! Also make sure to give them keratin packed foods, carrots, and sometimes marigold petals! And rennet to give them around 7-12 inches of substrate, and DO NOT USE CALCUIM SAND! Remeber to give your hermits fresh and salt water, and LOTS of things to climb on, and also 5 gallons per crab! If they are large, do 10 gallons per crab, so if you have 3 small crabs, do 15 gallon tank/container, 5 large, 50 gallon!
I just recently bought hermit crabs without knowing this! I am going to Petco very soon to get all the neccessities! Just one question though since I recently just bought them, how long will it take for them to get out of the horrible colorful shell to my new ones that I cleaned that are just polished?
Izzy Jade. Hermit Crab Will Actually Usually Stay In there shell For a While. When they grow, And There shell becomes to Small for Them, that’s when they go on a hunt for a new One! I’m sure they will switch Shells Soon. Great job on getting non-Painted Shells, and getting ones that are actually not toxic and Clean for them. That gives them a better chance of living!
It will soon, if you give them many different sizes and styles. But if the decorated shell is painted on, it won't be able to get out. I won't say the concequences of it being painted on, because it's very sad
It will usually take up to a year for a crab that is very newly fitted to it's shell. Crabs wearing smaller shells however will most likly take less time to change out of it😊
So yesterday I got 2 hermit crabs and we are completely happy and fine with them, but, there is some things you probably didn’t know too! So hermit crabs can fight, and when they fight, they get on top of each other and put the pressure on the other and try to make the other hermit come out and get hurt. Yes, I do understand that hermit crabs, LOVE company and want friends, but sometimes two hermit crabs aren’t made for each other and can hurt each other. My big brother had SO many animals when he was younger, let me explain, he had rabbits, Guinea pigs, hermit crabs, and had 2 ant farms. He had many hermit crabs and surprisingly, they all ran away and sometimes would never find them. But my hermit crabs are very happy and we have given them a good bit of what they need. They are really fun and really cool. My hermit crab likes to walk, climb, and explore and is a crazy one but my little brothers hermit crab isn’t much of a climber or Walker. People say once they move into a new shell they don’t really move and that is okay. Hermit crabs are really good pets and if you want to, I encourage you to adopt them. 😊
I bought my hermit crab yesterday I didn't know it was bad! But I'm doing absolutely everything is can to give twinkerbell a good life and going to make damn sure this crab is as happy as possible
My zoology class has decided to rescue a pair of hermit crabs after learning about their plight and how amazing they are. Thank you for this information.
When I got our first 2 hermit crabs from a beach store I thought that it was going to be easy to take care of them in the cage you get. My kids wanted them and they were supposed to be taking care of them but it was me most of the time. They lived for 2 years in that little cage but never molted. They past away this year and so when we went to the beach this year we got 3 hermit crabs. Well within a month the smallest hermit crab had died. So then I saw a video that you had posted about hermit crabs molting because I wasn’t sure if maybe the crab was molting. Then I looked up hermit crab tanks and saw another video you did about that. It was so helpful because then the next day I went and got everything that the other 2 hermit crabs would need to survive and they both went and buried themselves. I’m pretty sure that they are both molting. Thank you for sharing all of this information. It has really helped me. I never knew where hermit crabs came from and that you could adopt them.
I've had mine 3 years going on 4. He just finally changed and picked a shell. 5 nights he played in and out of all 6 shells I got for him. I had 5 different ones he didn't like them. So I had to buy some more. I watched him changing shells it was really great to watch. Takes a while.
Yes! That first shot of the hermit crabs for sale was almost exactly how I got my hermit crabs. My sister got them for me when we went to the beach and I found your videos and did so much research. Now they live with eco earth (6+ inches), good food and two types of water.
I purchased a cage and got a "free" crab last November for my granddaughter at the beach. I had no clue. I misplaced the food that I had bought for her new pet. That started a search on Google for what hermit crabs eat. The things that I learned in that search has been a life changer for me and my way of thinking about the critters that you can get for free in tourist attractions. That crab has it made now. I saw a whole inlet bank was covered in them in 1992. It was mesmerizing, the movement of each of the crabs large claw. It looked like waves. I will never forget that! I am currently striving to recreate a similar environment for my three hermits. I learned from your videos they are social. I've had a few over the years. A friend of mine brought two to me as a reminder that I should have gone. Funny feller. I knew nothing about them. I think they escaped to my creek outback. Your videos got me thinking about the natural habitat for them. Thanks so much!
I totally agree, they do have such big personalities, and they're so interesting! I enjoy having them so much, but it's so sad to know the things they had to go through before I got them :(
in Australia, hermit crabs are called “krabooz” they were in a pretty bad condition, coloured shells, and it’s just sad. I want to adopt 2 so I can save them, they just look so depressed..
luckily where I live all of the crabs have amazing setups in most of the petshops, salt, and fresh water, really deep substrate, climbing things, hides, natural shells and everything they need. :D
Well said, well said! The downside to working with them at a petstore is their smell for me. Unfortunately i've had to do the hard part of removing dead ones after the first few weeks of a new batch when doing my daily health checks. It's heart breaking to see them in their tiny painted shells. I will say however that as of late we've had less stressed ones with bigger shells come in which is a relief but i just wish they'd stop selling them. I hear rumors that at least petco will stop selling them by 2019 but i think that was only a rumor. Not sure about petsmart or private stores since private stores tend to get their pets from different people. Thanks for another Hermit Crab video Lori! Loved learning about them from you. It just tempted me to go and look for some on CL since December. So far there is only one being rehomed. In my area it's very rare to see them online since they end up dying, but i found one! Hopefully someone is looking out there for one. I'm going to repost the listing to a FB rehoming group. Hope they find a good home.
@@loganeberhart835 5 months late but they definitely smell horrible when they die. Normally, they will also have a poor odor if they don't have the proper care like salt water and a properly cleaned terrarium. If they are well-kept and healthy, they don't smell :)
We might have made a mistake. My hermit crabs where my sisters. She didn’t like them because they didn’t do anything and when we took them out they hid. So I got them. We had one named coconut but she was molting and we dug her up to get her out of her shell because it was too small. I feel so bad now. I’m scared she’s going to die of stress.
When I was little, (6 or so) my family bought my siblings and me hermit crabs. We put our two hermit crabs (Mr and Mrs Crabs) in the “large container” which wasn’t even close to 5 gallons. Now I have two more crabs, (Sheldon and Gary) I now got them when I am 11. We are going to the store to get a 10 gallon tank, eco earth, etc.
I got one off the boardwalk when I was a kid and have to my uncle. The crab is still alive over 20 years later. Last week I just brought one home and am blown away by its personality. I have been researching more care and diet tips and it’s definitely more complex to do the right way but like any pet they should be cared for and kept healthy. While I like him my dog is actually jealous....didn’t see that coming.
I actually had no idea about these guys. I went to a souvenir shop in Gulf Shores Alabama and I was suckered. As I always do, I did research immediately and went back for two more so now we have four. Whatever I find out now, I appreciate. I have already been feeding them leafy greens and carrots. I will do whatever they need to be happy.
My daughter and I watched how they forced the hc out their shells! I think they should leave them to transition on their own not forced out of their homes smh wish I know before we got one! I'm also glad we didn't buy the sand.
Me and my sister went to petsmart two days ago. She wanted a pet hermit crab, and didnt know if she could take care of it. After a long time of wondering if she would like one or not, she decided to get one. We went down the petsmart the second time, and she filled out the paperwork. The employee got the box and put it aside, with nothing in it, so while we were to drive 1 hour home, it would be in an empty box. she dug into the aquarium, and picked out many empty shells and one hermit crab. She said "Hold on, I need to check if he is alive or not." Me and my sister looked at eachother, both thinking "Dead? What do you mean?" She picked it up, and assured it was positively dead, and we had no luck with a hermit crab. Petsmart is not the place to go as for hermit crabs, crabs or any other kind of marine creature. (besides fish)
Ken and Tammy Wright same thing happened to me. It’s a family tradition for my family that every time we go to the beach, we get a few hermit crabs. We found a bunch of hermit crabs in a tiny plastic box, and I picked out the one I wanted and the guy said he thinks that one is dead.
first of all that has everything to do with that individual employee and NOT petsmart in general. our hermit crabs are always healthy and happy and taken care of. when someone purchases one i carefully put them in there with a very moist paper towel folded for them and spray a lot so the humidity stays. that employee obviously didn’t know what they were doing. the blame is on them and whether or not your individual hermit crab was stressed out or unhealthy.
I found HerkUhLeez in a parking lot at the oceanfront pier. He was in the tiny totes they sell at the tourist shops at the beach. Apparently some child or parent forgot to put him in the car since the parking lot was empty. Initially I thought he was dead until I saw some movement when picking up the tote. Couldn’t leave him there so I took him home. I help foster dogs and that takes a lot of effort especially if they’re neglected. I didn’t want that to happen to my new friend so I started doing research and was suddenly overwhelmed. Made some expensive mistakes at first but now HerkUhLeez has a proper environment with a new friend Xena that was captive raised. Their habitat is still evolving when I save up for better things for them but it’s been fun and eye opening getting to this point
I just got a hermit crab now named Kirby. I am 12 and I am so curious about them. That’s why I started researching how to take care of them. That’s when I started to notice they aren’t that simple to take care of.. 😬 do I thank you for your videos they were very helpful. We already have a tank for it and almost everything it needs to survive. Just need to get rid of the sand all together. Add a few inches of that brown stuff.. I forgot what it’s called,get the huv light,thermometer, the humidifier tester thingamajig,more variety of foods, and another bowl for the salt water. 😀now that I realize there’s still a lot of things I need to get for it......
I didn't know about the wild caught thing! I'm buying some hermit crabs from a local pet shop, because they just look so miserable in their tank, and I really want to give them a home they can actually be happy in. The space they are kept in is just tiny and horrible, so I'm really looking forward to giving them a large beautiful space for them to live in
Hi my name is Julia I have 3 hermit crabs their names are Flash ,Mr. Craps and lightning McQueen I love them so much and I write they really are interesting I love to watch them eat.
I adopted some crabs from my local pet store (they take in unwanted animals and find new homes for them)and I'm going to pick them up tomorrow, your videos have helped me out so much
Thank you SO MUCH for your videos. My kids have been asking about hermit crabs and I knew in the back of my mind that keeping hermit crabs is much more complicated and ....not cool. They are currently sitting here being overwhelmed by your videos. If they (the kids) survive, we will hit craigslist etc. If they bail on proper care, I will take over - like I did with the chickens - which were rescue chickens but we have 48 acres in rural Vermont
Great video! I’ve always loved hermit crabs. But I had no idea they were wild caught. If I ever get one I will be sure to adopt! Thanks so much for all the great information.
At first I bought a cable cage and my three hermit crabs (the three amigos) lived in a cage for about a week. Until I told my mom they need tanks, and I convinced her to research and now they live in a 10 gallon tank.
I got mine because my college roommate didn't want them any more. They didn't last a long time, but that's because I didn't know what I was doing, but one did like exploring my desk. He would climb everything while the other didn't like it and would stay put when I tried.
Good to know about the Calcium sand. I will have to change our tank around as soon as possible. We just got our two Hermits last week at the boardwalk. Mine changed its shell to a natural shell just a day after I bought her. Just a few days ago my brothers changed its shell to a natural. I also found out that my brothers jumbo loves coconut bits. I would like to get a bigger tank but don’t have the space at the moment. Sky and Pinchy both became more active after we brought them home. They love the eco earth coconut fiber bedding.
I first bought a 10 gal tank then after a few weeks I bought a 20 gal tank then a few weeks later bought a 50 gal tank. My tank looks like yours in the background in size but my heat lamp is inside the tank to keep it warm enough because the temperature in my house (in MA) rarely gets above 65. I have two hermit crab heating pads on the outside back of the tank. The inside temp is @ 80 . They have @ 5 inches of bedding and lots to climb on.
All I can say about wild caught animals sold through pet trades, like my snake Cinder, he’s from central US, he was sent to Nevada and I got him, my goal for creatures that go through that the I end up with is to give them the easiest life possible and make them as comfortable. I try to make my enclosures look more natural to help with their comfort, and it seems to have made it easier for them to try and trust the person behind the care.
hermit crabs actually live up to 15 to 20 years for their lifespan and i did get mine from Destin, Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi and sometimes hermit crabs can live for a while without other hermit crabs like mine last 2 years before having friends (and yes all of mine are land hermit crabs and made my tank natural instead of basic) and no I did not buy mine online, only in store. I did took good care of them and survive really easy and do not stress often. And often my hermit crab "Hermity" climbs on silicone. They are omnivores and make sure they don't have painted shells because paint is really toxic to hermit crabs
I use eco earth and a sand substrate made for crabs mixed together. I feed my crabs mealworms and shrimp with some veggies and a little bit of powdered food and there are two of them in my 5 gallon tank. I’m not sure if I’m taking good care of them so if anyone thinks I, doing something wrong please let me know :) One of them is from petco, ( I bought two with bright shells as my firsts but one of them was 9 years old and it died a month later I got a replacement one from petsmart with a brown natural shell) I also use a thing that tells me the temperature and humidity of their tank. I use saltwater from the pet store for their water.
If the humidity in your tank is correct, and your set up is balanced, you never have to mist. Misting can encourage flooding which can lead to a bacterial bloom in your substrate... That can mean death to a molting crab.
I have a question regarding the “don’t buy from gift shops” statement- My mom and I recently bought two hermit crabs on vacation and they were stuffed into a *maybe* 20 gallon tank with around 40-90 other crabs from how it looked. (I don’t have a good concept of approximate numbers lol) We’ve brought them home and we’re doing everything we can to give them a better home than what they had. My question is, is it really horrible to have bought them from the gift shop? I’d rather give them a home much better than what they had than leave them suffering.
I just did the same thing, although I've kept hermit crabs as pets for the majority of my life. The idea is that by us buying them from the souvenir shops, we are giving them business and perpetuating the need for people to continue going out and collecting them from the wild. It's a really hard one though-I stood by that enclosure at the store for a very long time yesterday, wishing that I could save every single one of them. I know that 90% are going to be bought as an impulse buy and go home and be dead within a month. The cages they sell for them are horrible and not proper enclosures, and not everyone is going to come on TH-cam and research proper care. But at the same time, those two that I brought home tonight and the ones you got will probably have a really good chance at survival, so at least we are helping a few of them. Like I said though, it's hard and I do feel like a hypocrite. I wish I could go back and get all of them. :(
@@BrokenFootRailfan Ah, that makes sense I suppose. I would rather to have bought from a captive breeder but that’s so uncommon especially where I live because crabs are such a niche pet. But at least these little guys will get to live better and longer lives ❤️
@@ChippedMunk Crab Central Station is a great hermit crab care guide youtube channel and is also a captive breeder. They are currently raising hermit crab babies that will be adoptable next year.
@@HermitCrabCrew I’m very aware of how great that channel is, and I’ve used it for most of my crab care so far, but thats not what my question was. Thank you anyways. :)
Even though they are wild caught, which I understand how you feel, but, at look at the beautiful home you've given them, I bet they are happy to be with you!!
Kids brought two home from a carnival last year. Obvi. kids gave up on them. They are now the centerpiece of my living room. We don't bother them and they do their thing but one went down today to molt and put on his baby shell. He is 4x the size of it. So did the other. I guess I will see them again in 4-6 weeks
I saw 30 hermit crabs being sold on the side of the road in the boiling hot heat it was terrible they were being sold in the tiny tiny little cages that hurt my heart so I bought them and made sure to let them all go I felt so happy doing it cuz I just hope all the animals are feeling care for it and loved🙂
Like you, I didn't realize the impact of my decision to buy a hermit crab but, I already have one and I have my hermit crab in a 20 gallon tank and I have regular sand in my tank. That is ok, right? I mean it is their natural habitat.
I recently got a hermit crab from a beach shop in Atlantic City. I'm trying my hardest to take good care of him. I didn't know that I shouldn't touch him that much, Thanks for telling me that. I'm getting him a big tank soon so I hope he'll live a happy rest of his life even if that's just a month or two. I feed him a salad every day so I think he's being feed well. He climbs alot and I keep it humid in my room for him. I hope I'm doing well but he has lived for about 6 days now and seems less stressed than when I originally got him I think.
Hi guys I recently just bought two hermit crabs along with a 10 gal tank, but I realized that they seemed a little down and inactive. I searched up online on why this could be and I noticed that I've done a horrible job on managing them (literally not even an inch of sand/soil was in my tank). Luckily I've realized this quickly but I still need some help. Can anyone please answer the questions I have below and provide links to websites where I can purchase the right items for my Hermit crabs. Thanks! 1. For a 10 Gal tank what kind of heater would be best to buy? Should I buy a lamp or would a heater be enough? 2. Should I do half sand and half soil in my 10 gal tank? (I kind of want to make a little pool in the sand part) 3. Where is the best place to buy actual non-pellet food for these creatures? 4. Best type of sand and soil to buy? and decent amount for a 10 gal? 5. This may sound extreme but can/should I put another 10 gal tank on top of my current one to expand their space? If you have any more tips/necessities I need to know about, it'll be super awesome and helpful to know! Thanks guys and please remember to link some sites so I can educate myself some more! :)
AnDHD AnDHD AnDHD AnDHD First get a 20g tall or long tank. It’s 10g per crab and they always need one friend since in the wild they live in groups up to 400. 1. A UTH is best because a lamp will cause a hot spot creating a possibility for them to get burned. 2. Its a 3:1 ratio of sand:eco earth. Playsand is best. 3. You can get good fruits and vegetables from your local farmers market or in your own garden. You can get them from the grocery store just make sure to wash them well. 4. Playsand and eco earth are best substrates. 5. Just get a bigger tank. I suggest putting either a piece of glass over the top of the tank or plastic wrap to keep humidity up because it needs to be HIGH They also need a pool of saltwater AND freshwater deep enough to soak They like lots of places to climb as well. Substrate should be deep enough to bury themselves
Thanks for your honesty. I recently saw hermit crabs on a Florida beach, and thought it would be interesting to keep one as a pet. Unwilling to take one from their happy little life on the beach, I thought I'd get one from a pet store. I didn't imagine that those were gathered from their happy little crabby lives to be mishandled and mostly killed. I will not be getting a hermit crab. Fascinating little creatures, though!
Yeah I purchased a hermit crab from the beach a few years ago and didn’t know ANYTHING, so I attribute his death (after a week) from me bathing him in tap water and keeping him in a wired cage. His little life was pretty sad but a few days before his death I did extensive research and moved him in to the propers setup I have today. So he had a couple joyous days of his life but he really helped me learn almost everything you mentioned in your video. I had another one die of a disease right after I purchased him, and now, 3 years later, I have 4 beautiful and happy hermit crabs that I love dearly and I think I raise them pretty well 😊
i just bought a new hermit crab at wildwood, but ended up buying the smallest cage ever, and a medium sized hermit crab. Sometimes i let it out of the cage and let it walk. Hopefully i’ll buy a bigger cage in the future, and i’ll think abt buying a new one based on where it is and how it is being treated.
Thanks to your videos I've decided to take in some secondhand crabs from a friend who had them several years. I wont buy new ones, but I will now be able to take good care and give a permanent home to some already in captivity.
I have 2 hermit crabs and I've had them for about 8 months and one of them just started to molt and I got so scared cuz it looked like he passed away but he didnt smell bad and I could see him twitch every once in a while which I heard was signs that hes still alive idk how long this is supposed to last but I'm hoping hes ok
Your substrate needs to be a minimum of 6 inches deep. Play sand from a hardware store and eco earth. A salt water treated pool and a prime treated pool that each crab can completely submerge in. Roughly 80 percent humidity and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Temperature can be added by using reptile Under tank heaters ON THE SIDES of the crabitat. Each one should be placed with the bottom at the top of the substrate line. Many different natural shells for them to choose from. Spagnam moss and a variety of fresh foods. Hides, vines, and an airtight lid to keep humidity in.
Do you know what's even more amazing, learning to not have pets and be satisfied just by watching animals in nature! Learned this more or less the hard way but whenever I go for a walk it's a new level of pleasure, seeing that if you pay attention there are animals going there lives everywhere. Relating to crabs, much better to look for them in the beach than torching in the sun doing nothing/waiting for death...
I rescued 11 from my daughters work after the tourist season was over. I am saddened that I can only save 11 from such a sad life.I did tons of research. They are fun and interesting to watch. I enjoy seeing what kinds of foods they like best. So far mine love bananas so much. They seem to love when I change there setup just a little from time to time so that they have something new to explore. Please please anyone interested in owning them make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility. They have special needs and needed to be treated with care. Please don't shove them in a tiny box they have been through hell and back. BTW mine are in a 55 gallon tank for now. Lots of places to play and climb and hide.
Thank you for these tips, me and my sister are getting hermit crabs today. And we really want them to be happy and healthy, it's sad to see them hurt and die, so thank you. 🦀❤
Thank you for this video! I was considering possibly getting a hermit crab, but I don't believe in impulse buying animals so I decided to research. Your video was one of the first that I found, and I am so thankful for it! I have decided no, I don't think I'll get any hermit crabs as I do not feel I could adequately care for them currently and I don't support buying wild caught animals. However, I will appreciate just how neat these little guys are! Thank you again for this!
Me and my brother just got hermit crabs from a souvnier shop on a vacation. They are kept currently in one of the small 20 dollar pre-made cases which include of, sand and colorful sand bits, 2 shells for food and water, a sponge for water, a plastic tree, and a shell for them to move into which arent the right size i think anyway. We both got 2 crabs and I had moved the extra shell we had bought which arent painted the ones they came in were :( (we left the other 3 shells at the place we were staying oops,)but i moved the shell into mine, on the ride home currently, my brothers crabs were shell fighting and because I have been doing research I moved my extra shell into his case and the crab moved in. Besides the point I'm doing research and for my brother, he's not and I don't think he'll care for them correctly and I'll eventually have to take care of his but I only have 30.00 $ left.... Can you give a video about correctly taking care of hermits on a budget?
I got my crabs from a caring shop with no painted shells, deep substrate, and both salt and freshwater, and climbing things, lots of spare natual shells!! :D
I just ordered a 10 gallon tank, hermit crab food you recommended, the bedding you use, a heat lamp, food and water shallow bowl, and some decor. Planning on getting two crabs from Craigslist. Oh and shells!
Im so glad that my local petco takes kinda good care of hermies they have them in non toxic shells, eco earth substrate (4 inches) atleast the its not as bad as gift shop crabs ,a 15 gallon tank and the worst thing is that they house hermit crabs with other sized hermit crabs
I rescued my hermit crabs from a biology lab shelf about 3 months ago. Obviously they were very stressed from living in a cold plastic box with little water and no food. But I never see them, ever. They buried themselves in the soil and never come out. Ant suggestions?
You inspire me so much, I recently bought a super big crab I named Tiko, and he can't even tuck all the way into his shell it's so small! I put big shells in his crabitat though! My other smaller crab, Sheldon, is so sweet and shy, and is so cute and funny. My birthday is coming up, and my family bought me a crabitat about 23+ gallons and my crabs love it! I have a thermometer that tells you how warm it is in the terrarium and the humidity level, and it's AMAZING! If you don't have one, I highly suggest one. Both my crabs love fresh fruits and veggies and love having baths! Thank you for making these helpful videos on your crabs! You help me a lot! ❤️🐚 (I'm so sad and sorry that Princess passed 😕RIP Princess, you were loved❤️🐚👑)
I have hermit crabs but I take care of them really really well I clean out there water (fresh) and (salt water) and I change there food out everyday🦀🐚 also I have a big tank for them🦀🐚
When I was very little kid, my longest living hermit crab was named “faster” which lived for 3 years. The only problem was I was uneducated on how they switch shells and mine never did even though provided a bunch of different types of shells and he eventually died and I was very sad.
@@themagiduck6334 No its not. Buying from petsmart or petco is just giving them profit and contributing to the problem. They dont care that you are "Rescuing" the animal, they just care you are buying from them and will get more because of it. Supply and demand. If no one buys animals from these stores then they will stop milling and selling them.
@@xBloodxFangx after being a hermit crab owner for quite a while now id have to agree. every single big chain petstore crab ive purchased never lived longer than a month. the ones i currently own are from a smaller business who treat their crabs way better and mine have been doing great.
My nephew got a pet hermit crab and he ended up loosing it. A week later I was folding laundry from the dryer and I found his hermit crab. I had washed and dried it. I set it on top the dryer and I was going to just toss it instead of telling my nephew I found his dead crab. I then saw it start to crawl. It was still alive. I put it back in it's tank and it appeared to be happy. I don't remember what happened after that but I was shocked it had survived a dryer
I got my crabs by accident. I went to Mexico and got some shells and I thought they were empty till I got home. I feel bad about it but I'm doing my research so they have a great home
I wanted to get hermit crabs, so I am looking up videos on their care so I could take care of them the best I could- but after hearing that they are wild caught, I don't want to contribute to the trade: however it makes me sad that they have to suffer like that and I am tempted, just so I can save them and give them a better life :/
Please post new videos for people that are just getting into this. I understand nobody should have hermit crabs but some of us to and we need help. You’re doing such a good job please update us
I found one in a painted shell in miami last night its pretty big took it home for my daughter bought all the stuff for when she gets home from school 😊
Hi. I recently adopted 2 hermit crabs and I’m not really sure how to care for them. Right now I have calcium sand but in the video you said to not use that. I was wondering what you use instead of the sand. Again I’m not sure how to care for them so I was wondering how you care for yours.
I have hermit crabs and your right they have big personalities. One of mine is a real pincher every time I handle her which is like once a year she punches me in fact she almost broke skin last night. My biggest is always first one up, he loves first dibs. And my other two are just kinda never out so ya.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
All of my crabs were rescued from craigslist; they are kept in an expensive setup and have a very extravagant diet. Flax seeds, cuttlebone, corn meal, freeze dried mealworms and crickets, pears, chia seeds, wheat germ, and so much more. I love their personalities so much. My oldest one taps on the glass when he wants attention. He LOVES having me wave my fingers infront of him! I have very colorful nails and his little antennas and arms go crazy when he sees my nails! They are amazing creatures and as much as I would love for them to be free and wild; I'm grateful that the ones I have are kept in a good environment.. Unfortunately, the same cant be said for others..
u should make a video on them!
I agree I think u should do a vid on them! I have hermit crabs myself and I also think their adorable
Personally, I don't think it is cruel to have them as pets as long as they are well taken care of like they should be. All animals were wild at some point and then made into pets.
Hey! I am getting my hermit crab soon, can we message on some app so you could help me with some questions I had? I wanna keep the two I will get in the best possible environment!
What's the best place to get cuttlebone.
I just got 2 hermits in a gift shop in florida...i feel so bad...but I wanna do right by them by taking care of them the way they deserve. Thank you for making these videos so maybe they can have a good life.
ooof
Make sure they have great shells other than the painted or polished ones.
@@froggiez4915 I've seen so many painted in Petco and its disgusting...the energy was way offf
@@solitary.witch0077 luckily, my petco actually is fairly good at doing everything right to keep the hermit crabs alive. Even no painted shells! P.S. thanks for the reply
@@froggiez4915 np. Just wanna share wat I see too
notes: no colored or calcium sand, painted shells are not preferred, get criagslist/adopted crabs, wild caught crabs can get stressed, no digging them up, no taking them out daily, change tank food and water daily, fruits and veggies are good even eggshells, they love to climb.
thank u for the vid i’ll keep these in mind
Before seeing anything about the painted shells, I bought one that was already in one. Should I put a natural shell in its tank so it can move
@@AlannahBanana517 Definitely, you'll need a variety of shells in it's tank regardless so it can grow into them
Thanks now I know what not to get for my hermit crsbs
I recently went into my locally owned pet store and was horrified to see hermit crabs in a 10 gallon tank, painted shells, NO substrate - they were just on the glass bottom, one dish of water....no sponge and one bowl of commercial food. Next to them was a huge display of everything a hermit crab needs!There were between 15-20 crabs in the tank.....I spoke to the girl working there and explained how they should be cared for. I doubt I made an impression, yet..it was all I could do to not buy them all. I just can't do pet stores anymore.
gosh ya im considering saving some from the pet store as well i’m building a little pool! it’s sad to see them with their cute little eyes begging to come out of that small tank 🥺
Omg, that's horrible. But that's normally the reason I get my smaller animals from pet stores (when it comes to dogs and cats, I adopt, dont shop). I get them from pet stores because they live such horrible lives, in such awful conditions, that I want to save them. And give them a better life
As sad that it is if people buy them to save them they will just order more crabs sadly you have to not buy them when they dont make money off the crabs they will stop but buying only fuels the stores unfortunately
Sponges are bad lol, glad they didn't have ang
I love hermit crabs, but I prefer to enjoy them while going beach combing instead of keeping them for many of the reasons you shared :) But you still can't deny their adorableness!
The Turtle Girl saltwater crabs can’t live on land and they can’t eat the hermit crab food that u find in stores ,just letting u know
You would rather go inside the stores and see the poor crabs cooped up in cages with no substrate, I would’ve just taken them all home lol.
@@modestalara7915 those are different kind of hermit crabs that require a lot more care. Also a different kind of water to live in.
They are absolutely adorable though. 😍
@@thehappyoyster4964 your just supporting the industry🤦🏻♂️
I feel quite bad for hermit crabs, they have such a rough deal.
I love my Hermies! I have only had rescues, and my oldest I've had for 20 years!
I recently got 2 and they have been buried for a month lol, amazing creatures
Amazing! I've only had mine for A week It was very tragic :(
HERM
Sheeeeeesh
WOW.my mom told me that they only live like 6 months
Honestly, I didn't know enough about hermit crab care when I bought mine, but I've researched a lot. I just spent $130, getting them a completely new set up and environment. They will have more space and all the stuff recommended for their care. It makes me mad how pet stores don't even sell the correct stuff to care for them.
Also, technically, all animals were wild at some point and then were made into pets. As long as they are taken care of completely, I don't see how it is so cruel to have them as pets.
Luckily here in Australia I walked into a pet store and I saw a 2 huge tanks for the hermit crabs. Each tank had 7 in it so it made me quite happy to know that at least some pet stores take care of out little friends
I now its hard to get liks
It’s so sad hearing that people still sell hermit crabs :(
yeah! if anyone wants a hermit crab take care of them and NEVER stress them out
I may be getting one today!!
@Sakura mochii True, but sometimes they are not even happy as such. Most only live to survive in the wilderness. But, if you do take proper care of them and make them feel like in the natural habitat they were, while quitting them the need to worry about predators and starvation, for you keep them safe and fed, that's better than leaving them to the dangerous wild.
The neglect and abuse petstores do to the hermit crabs, proves they don't care for any of the animals. Once you see this. You can't unsee it, you'll start noticing all the animals are in wrong conditions. And no , it's not just my petstore. I tried that. So i went to 7 more. And i'm disgusted. People who care about animals don't work there. The people who work there are just that is the place that gave them a job.
@@TSCtheTHC Yeap, like the gaming industry... People be given jobs to review a game while not even being actual gamers for passion.💀
i completely agree with what you said about calcium sand! i don’t understand why anyone would still use or promote it, especially with all of the alternatives available
Isis Lee I know, sadly some people do but I really feel it’s an out of style way of keeping animals and people need to move on lol
When I was in the first grade my dad and I went to Petsmart after school one day to pick out some clothes for our dog. We had never seen hermit crabs before but we found them interesting and we ended up getting one that day even though had never done our research. Luckily my dad looked up essentials so we got it everything it needed to survive and a little extra for the tank. It lived for 5 years so we must have done some things right, though it should’ve lived for way longer. We never knew they were social creatures so unfortunately the first couple years we had her, she was alone. A couple years after we had gotten the first one though, my cousin gave us two more. She had found them in a trash can at her apartment complex in the middle of summer. We suspected that one of her neighbors moved out and didn’t want them anymore so they threw them away. They knew we had a hermit crab so she gave them to us. One was already an adult and the other was very tiny, so it was still very young. Sadly the small one passed away a week later due to being in the heat for too long. The bigger crab ended up living a year after the first crab died, so I had that one for about 4 years after receiving it. It’s been about 5 years since the last hermit crab died and I honestly missed having them, so the other day my mom and I went out and bought a bigger tank than before, new supplies, and the next day we got two new crabs. I’m honestly excited to have some again and I’ve been doing research for a month or so to make sure we were more ready than before.
Jesus bro
I actually found a hermit crab breeder once, through a Facebook group. A very incredible facebook group. But most people say that they're the only person that they know of who has successfully bred them in captivity. I can try to find that information again, and see if it's still true like 5 or 6 years later - if anyone is interested :)
Cierra Nicole There are VERY few hermit crab breeders because of the cost to raise them and how hard it is
Kaelee McCoy I know, that's what I said ^-^
Cierra Nicole I think it’s amazing that people have successfully done it!Sadly,a lot of times they don’t make it until adulthood
Thank you SO much about telling me about the calcium sand. I just recently got it two days ago and you don't know how fast I put the crabs back in their usual main habitat with the play sand. I washed them in their salt water bath and they are extremely happy now! You saved two hermit lives from a usual mistake for a beginner. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I just got mine last month, I am highly allergic to them, My aunt got me one and we found out we needed to get more so she isn't lonely,We are planning on either selling mine or moving them the the other side to my room, Idk yet
I have 3 rn)
I work at a petco as a dog groomer. Someone dropped off a hermit crab in a tiny tank with sand and one water sponge and one tiny plant. I took him home and he is thriving now! I kind of want another but I am nervous to meet people on Craigslist... oh well. He’s a fun little guy and I hope he sticks around 😊
Simple care tips for these cuties:
Make sure they have things that are calcium rich, that doesn’t mean milk, just look up calcium packed foods, then look up if they are safe for your crab! Also make sure to give them keratin packed foods, carrots, and sometimes marigold petals! And rennet to give them around 7-12 inches of substrate, and DO NOT USE CALCUIM SAND! Remeber to give your hermits fresh and salt water, and LOTS of things to climb on, and also 5 gallons per crab! If they are large, do 10 gallons per crab, so if you have 3 small crabs, do 15 gallon tank/container, 5 large, 50 gallon!
I just recently bought hermit crabs without knowing this! I am going to Petco very soon to get all the neccessities! Just one question though since I recently just bought them, how long will it take for them to get out of the horrible colorful shell to my new ones that I cleaned that are just polished?
Izzy Jade.
Hermit Crab Will Actually Usually Stay In there shell For a While. When they grow, And There shell becomes to Small for Them, that’s when they go on a hunt for a new One! I’m sure they will switch Shells Soon. Great job on getting non-Painted Shells, and getting ones that are actually not toxic and Clean for them. That gives them a better chance of living!
It will soon, if you give them many different sizes and styles. But if the decorated shell is painted on, it won't be able to get out. I won't say the concequences of it being painted on, because it's very sad
Izzy Jade probably after they molt
The Crab Shack painted into the shell?!
It will usually take up to a year for a crab that is very newly fitted to it's shell. Crabs wearing smaller shells however will most likly take less time to change out of it😊
So yesterday I got 2 hermit crabs and we are completely happy and fine with them, but, there is some things you probably didn’t know too! So hermit crabs can fight, and when they fight, they get on top of each other and put the pressure on the other and try to make the other hermit come out and get hurt. Yes, I do understand that hermit crabs, LOVE company and want friends, but sometimes two hermit crabs aren’t made for each other and can hurt each other. My big brother had SO many animals when he was younger, let me explain, he had rabbits, Guinea pigs, hermit crabs, and had 2 ant farms. He had many hermit crabs and surprisingly, they all ran away and sometimes would never find them. But my hermit crabs are very happy and we have given them a good bit of what they need. They are really fun and really cool. My hermit crab likes to walk, climb, and explore and is a crazy one but my little brothers hermit crab isn’t much of a climber or Walker. People say once they move into a new shell they don’t really move and that is okay. Hermit crabs are really good pets and if you want to, I encourage you to adopt them. 😊
I bought my hermit crab yesterday I didn't know it was bad! But I'm doing absolutely everything is can to give twinkerbell a good life and going to make damn sure this crab is as happy as possible
Hey ! I’m in the same situation how’s twinkerbell doing
@@luzorellana2247 twinkerbell is doing great! They are actually in the molting process rn!
@@Mary-kc5nv That’s great ! Let’s hope they keep it up😊
How are they doing now? I just got two crabs yesterday!
My zoology class has decided to rescue a pair of hermit crabs after learning about their plight and how amazing they are. Thank you for this information.
When I got our first 2 hermit crabs from a beach store I thought that it was going to be easy to take care of them in the cage you get. My kids wanted them and they were supposed to be taking care of them but it was me most of the time. They lived for 2 years in that little cage but never molted. They past away this year and so when we went to the beach this year we got 3 hermit crabs. Well within a month the smallest hermit crab had died. So then I saw a video that you had posted about hermit crabs molting because I wasn’t sure if maybe the crab was molting. Then I looked up hermit crab tanks and saw another video you did about that. It was so helpful because then the next day I went and got everything that the other 2 hermit crabs would need to survive and they both went and buried themselves. I’m pretty sure that they are both molting. Thank you for sharing all of this information. It has really helped me. I never knew where hermit crabs came from and that you could adopt them.
Wait wouldn't you want to buy them to take them away from Petco and pet smart and have a long lasting life
LPS Slush that’s EXACTLY what I did !!!!!👌
I guess what they are saying is if people stop buying them... The store won't want to sell them anymore because they are not being sold.
Same!! I rescued the painted ones
Buying them only makes them have to restock, it’s sad I know
yup thats what i wanna do]
I've had mine 3 years going on 4. He just finally changed and picked a shell. 5 nights he played in and out of all 6 shells I got for him. I had 5 different ones he didn't like them. So I had to buy some more. I watched him changing shells it was really great to watch. Takes a while.
Yes! That first shot of the hermit crabs for sale was almost exactly how I got my hermit crabs. My sister got them for me when we went to the beach and I found your videos and did so much research. Now they live with eco earth (6+ inches), good food and two types of water.
I purchased a cage and got a "free" crab last November for my granddaughter at the beach. I had no clue. I misplaced the food that I had bought for her new pet. That started a search on Google for what hermit crabs eat. The things that I learned in that search has been a life changer for me and my way of thinking about the critters that you can get for free in tourist attractions. That crab has it made now. I saw a whole inlet bank was covered in them in 1992. It was mesmerizing, the movement of each of the crabs large claw. It looked like waves. I will never forget that! I am currently striving to recreate a similar environment for my three hermits. I learned from your videos they are social. I've had a few over the years. A friend of mine brought two to me as a reminder that I should have gone. Funny feller. I knew nothing about them. I think they escaped to my creek outback. Your videos got me thinking about the natural habitat for them. Thanks so much!
I totally agree, they do have such big personalities, and they're so interesting! I enjoy having them so much, but it's so sad to know the things they had to go through before I got them :(
in Australia, hermit crabs are called “krabooz”
they were in a pretty bad condition, coloured shells, and it’s just sad. I want to adopt 2 so I can save them, they just look so depressed..
luckily where I live all of the crabs have amazing setups in most of the petshops, salt, and fresh water, really deep substrate, climbing things, hides, natural shells and everything they need. :D
Well said, well said! The downside to working with them at a petstore is their smell for me. Unfortunately i've had to do the hard part of removing dead ones after the first few weeks of a new batch when doing my daily health checks. It's heart breaking to see them in their tiny painted shells. I will say however that as of late we've had less stressed ones with bigger shells come in which is a relief but i just wish they'd stop selling them. I hear rumors that at least petco will stop selling them by 2019 but i think that was only a rumor. Not sure about petsmart or private stores since private stores tend to get their pets from different people. Thanks for another Hermit Crab video Lori! Loved learning about them from you. It just tempted me to go and look for some on CL since December. So far there is only one being rehomed. In my area it's very rare to see them online since they end up dying, but i found one! Hopefully someone is looking out there for one. I'm going to repost the listing to a FB rehoming group. Hope they find a good home.
Munchie's Place I heard that rumor too! Hope it’s true!
Hermit crab association website has a thread for crabs up for adoption / people willing to adopt!
do they smell all the time or just when they die?
@@loganeberhart835 5 months late but they definitely smell horrible when they die. Normally, they will also have a poor odor if they don't have the proper care like salt water and a properly cleaned terrarium. If they are well-kept and healthy, they don't smell :)
That rumor isn’t true I got mine from there today
We might have made a mistake. My hermit crabs where my sisters. She didn’t like them because they didn’t do anything and when we took them out they hid. So I got them. We had one named coconut but she was molting and we dug her up to get her out of her shell because it was too small. I feel so bad now. I’m scared she’s going to die of stress.
So what happened?
Thinking about getting hermit crabs so I’m researching right now I’m 16 and they will be in my room
Same I want to have all the info about then before I get some
Rescue instead of purchasing from pet stores is what I think is suggested
Check craigslist
Don’t keep them in your room cause you here them moving around at night and it’s creepy!
When I was little, (6 or so) my family bought my siblings and me hermit crabs. We put our two hermit crabs (Mr and Mrs Crabs) in the “large container” which wasn’t even close to 5 gallons. Now I have two more crabs, (Sheldon and Gary) I now got them when I am 11. We are going to the store to get a 10 gallon tank, eco earth, etc.
I got one off the boardwalk when I was a kid and have to my uncle. The crab is still alive over 20 years later. Last week I just brought one home and am blown away by its personality. I have been researching more care and diet tips and it’s definitely more complex to do the right way but like any pet they should be cared for and kept healthy. While I like him my dog is actually jealous....didn’t see that coming.
I actually had no idea about these guys. I went to a souvenir shop in Gulf Shores Alabama and I was suckered. As I always do, I did research immediately and went back for two more so now we have four. Whatever I find out now, I appreciate. I have already been feeding them leafy greens and carrots. I will do whatever they need to be happy.
My daughter and I watched how they forced the hc out their shells! I think they should leave them to transition on their own not forced out of their homes smh wish I know before we got one! I'm also glad we didn't buy the sand.
Me and my sister went to petsmart two days ago.
She wanted a pet hermit crab, and didnt know if she could take care of it.
After a long time of wondering if she would like one or not, she decided to get one.
We went down the petsmart the second time, and she filled out the paperwork.
The employee got the box and put it aside, with nothing in it, so while we were to drive 1 hour home, it would be in an empty box.
she dug into the aquarium, and picked out many empty shells and one hermit crab.
She said "Hold on, I need to check if he is alive or not."
Me and my sister looked at eachother, both thinking "Dead? What do you mean?"
She picked it up, and assured it was positively dead, and we had no luck with a hermit crab.
Petsmart is not the place to go as for hermit crabs, crabs or any other kind of marine creature. (besides fish)
Ken and Tammy Wright same thing happened to me. It’s a family tradition for my family that every time we go to the beach, we get a few hermit crabs. We found a bunch of hermit crabs in a tiny plastic box, and I picked out the one I wanted and the guy said he thinks that one is dead.
first of all that has everything to do with that individual employee and NOT petsmart in general. our hermit crabs are always healthy and happy and taken care of. when someone purchases one i carefully put them in there with a very moist paper towel folded for them and spray a lot so the humidity stays. that employee obviously didn’t know what they were doing. the blame is on them and whether or not your individual hermit crab was stressed out or unhealthy.
pinkfloyd11 i forgot about this comment, my sister went to get one and it was dead, she was sad and she just wanted to leave.
You cannot drive a hour home with a crab... They can't survive 15 minutes without water
I found HerkUhLeez in a parking lot at the oceanfront pier. He was in the tiny totes they sell at the tourist shops at the beach. Apparently some child or parent forgot to put him in the car since the parking lot was empty. Initially I thought he was dead until I saw some movement when picking up the tote. Couldn’t leave him there so I took him home. I help foster dogs and that takes a lot of effort especially if they’re neglected. I didn’t want that to happen to my new friend so I started doing research and was suddenly overwhelmed. Made some expensive mistakes at first but now HerkUhLeez has a proper environment with a new friend Xena that was captive raised. Their habitat is still evolving when I save up for better things for them but it’s been fun and eye opening getting to this point
I just got a hermit crab now named Kirby. I am 12 and I am so curious about them. That’s why I started researching how to take care of them. That’s when I started to notice they aren’t that simple to take care of.. 😬 do I thank you for your videos they were very helpful. We already have a tank for it and almost everything it needs to survive. Just need to get rid of the sand all together. Add a few inches of that brown stuff.. I forgot what it’s called,get the huv light,thermometer, the humidifier tester thingamajig,more variety of foods, and another bowl for the salt water. 😀now that I realize there’s still a lot of things I need to get for it......
I didn't know about the wild caught thing! I'm buying some hermit crabs from a local pet shop, because they just look so miserable in their tank, and I really want to give them a home they can actually be happy in. The space they are kept in is just tiny and horrible, so I'm really looking forward to giving them a large beautiful space for them to live in
Uh oh.. I just bought calcium sand for my hermit crab. Thank you for telling me before I put it in his tank
Hi my name is Julia I have 3 hermit crabs their names are Flash ,Mr. Craps and lightning McQueen I love them so much and I write they really are interesting I love to watch them eat.
I adopted some crabs from my local pet store (they take in unwanted animals and find new homes for them)and I'm going to pick them up tomorrow, your videos have helped me out so much
i’ve had mine for a while and i give the proper care and the way i know i’m doing it right is because i watch you :)
Thank you SO MUCH for your videos. My kids have been asking about hermit crabs and I knew in the back of my mind that keeping hermit crabs is much more complicated and ....not cool. They are currently sitting here being overwhelmed by your videos. If they (the kids) survive, we will hit craigslist etc. If they bail on proper care, I will take over - like I did with the chickens - which were rescue chickens but we have 48 acres in rural Vermont
Wow! I def recommend Craigslist adoption. Thanks for watching!
48 acres!!!! Wow what a beautiful blessing ❤️
Great video! I’ve always loved hermit crabs. But I had no idea they were wild caught. If I ever get one I will be sure to adopt! Thanks so much for all the great information.
I have 2 hermit crabs I love them
i just got my hermit crabs today and i’m super excited to start caring for them! are there any more tips that i need to know?
Yes do thorough research.
@@nicolenewsome4863 they were asking for tips
@@cybr224 yeah. Tips also come with research.
At first I bought a cable cage and my three hermit crabs (the three amigos) lived in a cage for about a week. Until I told my mom they need tanks, and I convinced her to research and now they live in a 10 gallon tank.
@@Xotix_rblx i put mine in calcium sand :[
I got mine because my college roommate didn't want them any more. They didn't last a long time, but that's because I didn't know what I was doing, but one did like exploring my desk. He would climb everything while the other didn't like it and would stay put when I tried.
Good to know about the Calcium sand. I will have to change our tank around as soon as possible. We just got our two Hermits last week at the boardwalk. Mine changed its shell to a natural shell just a day after I bought her. Just a few days ago my brothers changed its shell to a natural. I also found out that my brothers jumbo loves coconut bits. I would like to get a bigger tank but don’t have the space at the moment. Sky and Pinchy both became more active after we brought them home. They love the eco earth coconut fiber bedding.
I first bought a 10 gal tank then after a few weeks I bought a 20 gal tank then a few weeks later bought a 50 gal tank. My tank looks like yours in the background in size but my heat lamp is inside the tank to keep it warm enough because the temperature in my house (in MA) rarely gets above 65. I have two hermit crab heating pads on the outside back of the tank. The inside temp is @ 80 . They have @ 5 inches of bedding and lots to climb on.
All I can say about wild caught animals sold through pet trades, like my snake Cinder, he’s from central US, he was sent to Nevada and I got him, my goal for creatures that go through that the I end up with is to give them the easiest life possible and make them as comfortable. I try to make my enclosures look more natural to help with their comfort, and it seems to have made it easier for them to try and trust the person behind the care.
hermit crabs actually live up to 15 to 20 years for their lifespan and i did get mine from Destin, Florida and Biloxi, Mississippi and sometimes hermit crabs can live for a while without other hermit crabs like mine last 2 years before having friends (and yes all of mine are land hermit crabs and made my tank natural instead of basic) and no I did not buy mine online, only in store. I did took good care of them and survive really easy and do not stress often. And often my hermit crab "Hermity" climbs on silicone. They are omnivores and make sure they don't have painted shells because paint is really toxic to hermit crabs
I use eco earth and a sand substrate made for crabs mixed together. I feed my crabs mealworms and shrimp with some veggies and a little bit of powdered food and there are two of them in my 5 gallon tank. I’m not sure if I’m taking good care of them so if anyone thinks I, doing something wrong please let me know :)
One of them is from petco, ( I bought two with bright shells as my firsts but one of them was 9 years old and it died a month later I got a replacement one from petsmart with a brown natural shell) I also use a thing that tells me the temperature and humidity of their tank. I use saltwater from the pet store for their water.
If the humidity in your tank is correct, and your set up is balanced, you never have to mist. Misting can encourage flooding which can lead to a bacterial bloom in your substrate... That can mean death to a molting crab.
I have a question regarding the “don’t buy from gift shops” statement-
My mom and I recently bought two hermit crabs on vacation and they were stuffed into a *maybe* 20 gallon tank with around 40-90 other crabs from how it looked. (I don’t have a good concept of approximate numbers lol) We’ve brought them home and we’re doing everything we can to give them a better home than what they had. My question is, is it really horrible to have bought them from the gift shop? I’d rather give them a home much better than what they had than leave them suffering.
I just did the same thing, although I've kept hermit crabs as pets for the majority of my life. The idea is that by us buying them from the souvenir shops, we are giving them business and perpetuating the need for people to continue going out and collecting them from the wild. It's a really hard one though-I stood by that enclosure at the store for a very long time yesterday, wishing that I could save every single one of them. I know that 90% are going to be bought as an impulse buy and go home and be dead within a month. The cages they sell for them are horrible and not proper enclosures, and not everyone is going to come on TH-cam and research proper care. But at the same time, those two that I brought home tonight and the ones you got will probably have a really good chance at survival, so at least we are helping a few of them. Like I said though, it's hard and I do feel like a hypocrite. I wish I could go back and get all of them. :(
@@BrokenFootRailfan Ah, that makes sense I suppose. I would rather to have bought from a captive breeder but that’s so uncommon especially where I live because crabs are such a niche pet. But at least these little guys will get to live better and longer lives ❤️
@@ChippedMunk Crab Central Station is a great hermit crab care guide youtube channel and is also a captive breeder. They are currently raising hermit crab babies that will be adoptable next year.
@@HermitCrabCrew I’m very aware of how great that channel is, and I’ve used it for most of my crab care so far, but thats not what my question was. Thank you anyways. :)
Even though they are wild caught, which I understand how you feel, but, at look at the beautiful home you've given them, I bet they are happy to be with you!!
Kids brought two home from a carnival last year. Obvi. kids gave up on them. They are now the centerpiece of my living room. We don't bother them and they do their thing but one went down today to molt and put on his baby shell. He is 4x the size of it. So did the other. I guess I will see them again in 4-6 weeks
I saw 30 hermit crabs being sold on the side of the road in the boiling hot heat it was terrible they were being sold in the tiny tiny little cages that hurt my heart so I bought them and made sure to let them all go I felt so happy doing it cuz I just hope all the animals are feeling care for it and loved🙂
My hermit crabs are so adorable and healthy.Im trying not to kill them.I really want to keep them for 30 years.🤗
Like you, I didn't realize the impact of my decision to buy a hermit crab but, I already have one and I have my hermit crab in a 20 gallon tank and I have regular sand in my tank. That is ok, right? I mean it is their natural habitat.
You shouldn't ever have just 1 crab they are social creatures and need a friend!
I recently got a hermit crab from a beach shop in Atlantic City. I'm trying my hardest to take good care of him. I didn't know that I shouldn't touch him that much, Thanks for telling me that. I'm getting him a big tank soon so I hope he'll live a happy rest of his life even if that's just a month or two. I feed him a salad every day so I think he's being feed well. He climbs alot and I keep it humid in my room for him. I hope I'm doing well but he has lived for about 6 days now and seems less stressed than when I originally got him I think.
Hi guys I recently just bought two hermit crabs along with a 10 gal tank, but I realized that they seemed a little down and inactive. I searched up online on why this could be and I noticed that I've done a horrible job on managing them (literally not even an inch of sand/soil was in my tank). Luckily I've realized this quickly but I still need some help. Can anyone please answer the questions I have below and provide links to websites where I can purchase the right items for my Hermit crabs. Thanks!
1. For a 10 Gal tank what kind of heater would be best to buy? Should I buy a lamp or would a heater be enough?
2. Should I do half sand and half soil in my 10 gal tank? (I kind of want to make a little pool in the sand part)
3. Where is the best place to buy actual non-pellet food for these creatures?
4. Best type of sand and soil to buy? and decent amount for a 10 gal?
5. This may sound extreme but can/should I put another 10 gal tank on top of my current one to expand their space?
If you have any more tips/necessities I need to know about, it'll be super awesome and helpful to know! Thanks guys and please remember to link some sites so I can educate myself some more! :)
AnDHD AnDHD AnDHD AnDHD First get a 20g tall or long tank. It’s 10g per crab and they always need one friend since in the wild they live in groups up to 400.
1. A UTH is best because a lamp will cause a hot spot creating a possibility for them to get burned.
2. Its a 3:1 ratio of sand:eco earth. Playsand is best.
3. You can get good fruits and vegetables from your local farmers market or in your own garden. You can get them from the grocery store just make sure to wash them well.
4. Playsand and eco earth are best substrates.
5. Just get a bigger tank.
I suggest putting either a piece of glass over the top of the tank or plastic wrap to keep humidity up because it needs to be HIGH
They also need a pool of saltwater AND freshwater deep enough to soak
They like lots of places to climb as well.
Substrate should be deep enough to bury themselves
AnDHD join the Facebook group for taking care of crabs. There’s a lot to taking care of them.
Thanks for your honesty. I recently saw hermit crabs on a Florida beach, and thought it would be interesting to keep one as a pet. Unwilling to take one from their happy little life on the beach, I thought I'd get one from a pet store. I didn't imagine that those were gathered from their happy little crabby lives to be mishandled and mostly killed. I will not be getting a hermit crab. Fascinating little creatures, though!
Yeah I purchased a hermit crab from the beach a few years ago and didn’t know ANYTHING, so I attribute his death (after a week) from me bathing him in tap water and keeping him in a wired cage. His little life was pretty sad but a few days before his death I did extensive research and moved him in to the propers setup I have today. So he had a couple joyous days of his life but he really helped me learn almost everything you mentioned in your video. I had another one die of a disease right after I purchased him, and now, 3 years later, I have 4 beautiful and happy hermit crabs that I love dearly and I think I raise them pretty well 😊
i just bought a new hermit crab at wildwood, but ended up buying the smallest cage ever, and a medium sized hermit crab. Sometimes i let it out of the cage and let it walk. Hopefully i’ll buy a bigger cage in the future, and i’ll think abt buying a new one based on where it is and how it is being treated.
Thanks to your videos I've decided to take in some secondhand crabs from a friend who had them several years. I wont buy new ones, but I will now be able to take good care and give a permanent home to some already in captivity.
Thanks this was so helpful! My friend is getting a .H.crab! She is thanking you so much. You and inspiration are best friends! Keep it up!!
squishy that make sure your friend gets at least 2!
Kaelee McCoy . Thank you I'll tell her that!!!!!
I have 2 hermit crabs and I've had them for about 8 months and one of them just started to molt and I got so scared cuz it looked like he passed away but he didnt smell bad and I could see him twitch every once in a while which I heard was signs that hes still alive idk how long this is supposed to last but I'm hoping hes ok
Your substrate needs to be a minimum of 6 inches deep. Play sand from a hardware store and eco earth. A salt water treated pool and a prime treated pool that each crab can completely submerge in. Roughly 80 percent humidity and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Temperature can be added by using reptile Under tank heaters ON THE SIDES of the crabitat. Each one should be placed with the bottom at the top of the substrate line. Many different natural shells for them to choose from. Spagnam moss and a variety of fresh foods. Hides, vines, and an airtight lid to keep humidity in.
Do you know what's even more amazing, learning to not have pets and be satisfied just by watching animals in nature!
Learned this more or less the hard way but whenever I go for a walk it's a new level of pleasure, seeing that if you pay attention there are animals going there lives everywhere.
Relating to crabs, much better to look for them in the beach than torching in the sun doing nothing/waiting for death...
I rescued 11 from my daughters work after the tourist season was over. I am saddened that I can only save 11 from such a sad life.I did tons of research. They are fun and interesting to watch. I enjoy seeing what kinds of foods they like best. So far mine love bananas so much. They seem to love when I change there setup just a little from time to time so that they have something new to explore. Please please anyone interested in owning them make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility. They have special needs and needed to be treated with care. Please don't shove them in a tiny box they have been through hell and back. BTW mine are in a 55 gallon tank for now. Lots of places to play and climb and hide.
Thank you for these tips, me and my sister are getting hermit crabs today. And we really want them to be happy and healthy, it's sad to see them hurt and die, so thank you. 🦀❤
Thank you for this video! I was considering possibly getting a hermit crab, but I don't believe in impulse buying animals so I decided to research. Your video was one of the first that I found, and I am so thankful for it! I have decided no, I don't think I'll get any hermit crabs as I do not feel I could adequately care for them currently and I don't support buying wild caught animals. However, I will appreciate just how neat these little guys are! Thank you again for this!
Me and my brother just got hermit crabs from a souvnier shop on a vacation. They are kept currently in one of the small 20 dollar pre-made cases which include of, sand and colorful sand bits, 2 shells for food and water, a sponge for water, a plastic tree, and a shell for them to move into which arent the right size i think anyway. We both got 2 crabs and I had moved the extra shell we had bought which arent painted the ones they came in were :( (we left the other 3 shells at the place we were staying oops,)but i moved the shell into mine, on the ride home currently, my brothers crabs were shell fighting and because I have been doing research I moved my extra shell into his case and the crab moved in. Besides the point I'm doing research and for my brother, he's not and I don't think he'll care for them correctly and I'll eventually have to take care of his but I only have 30.00 $ left.... Can you give a video about correctly taking care of hermits on a budget?
I got my crabs from a caring shop with no painted shells, deep substrate, and both salt and freshwater, and climbing things, lots of spare natual shells!! :D
I just ordered a 10 gallon tank, hermit crab food you recommended, the bedding you use, a heat lamp, food and water shallow bowl, and some decor. Planning on getting two crabs from Craigslist. Oh and shells!
Yeah I didn’t it’s poison to them.
What is sick is Petsmart has it on their care sheet that a Hermit crab lives up to 10 years.
Im so glad that my local petco takes kinda good care of hermies they have them in non toxic shells, eco earth substrate (4 inches) atleast the its not as bad as gift shop crabs ,a 15 gallon tank and the worst thing is that they house hermit crabs with other sized hermit crabs
I rescued my hermit crabs from a biology lab shelf about 3 months ago. Obviously they were very stressed from living in a cold plastic box with little water and no food. But I never see them, ever. They buried themselves in the soil and never come out. Ant suggestions?
How often should you clean a hermit crabs tank?
If you have two in a ten gallon tank, you should do it once in one -two months. but if you have four do it once a month. I hope that helps, 😀🐚
You inspire me so much, I recently bought a super big crab I named Tiko, and he can't even tuck all the way into his shell it's so small! I put big shells in his crabitat though! My other smaller crab, Sheldon, is so sweet and shy, and is so cute and funny. My birthday is coming up, and my family bought me a crabitat about 23+ gallons and my crabs love it! I have a thermometer that tells you how warm it is in the terrarium and the humidity level, and it's AMAZING! If you don't have one, I highly suggest one. Both my crabs love fresh fruits and veggies and love having baths! Thank you for making these helpful videos on your crabs! You help me a lot! ❤️🐚 (I'm so sad and sorry that Princess passed 😕RIP Princess, you were loved❤️🐚👑)
I have hermit crabs but I take care of them really really well I clean out there water (fresh) and (salt water) and I change there food out everyday🦀🐚 also I have a big tank for them🦀🐚
When I was very little kid, my longest living hermit crab was named “faster” which lived for 3 years. The only problem was I was uneducated on how they switch shells and mine never did even though provided a bunch of different types of shells and he eventually died and I was very sad.
what a great idea... instead out buying from PetSmart or Petco I'll look for a rescue. ❤️
buying it from petco is a rescue
@@themagiduck6334 No its not. Buying from petsmart or petco is just giving them profit and contributing to the problem. They dont care that you are "Rescuing" the animal, they just care you are buying from them and will get more because of it. Supply and demand. If no one buys animals from these stores then they will stop milling and selling them.
@@xBloodxFangx after being a hermit crab owner for quite a while now id have to agree. every single big chain petstore crab ive purchased never lived longer than a month. the ones i currently own are from a smaller business who treat their crabs way better and mine have been doing great.
Well, atleast 600 of them die a day unfortunately. And there is 365 days in a year.. It's very very sad
Toast Da Snake 219,000 die a year 😢
My nephew got a pet hermit crab and he ended up loosing it. A week later I was folding laundry from the dryer and I found his hermit crab. I had washed and dried it. I set it on top the dryer and I was going to just toss it instead of telling my nephew I found his dead crab. I then saw it start to crawl. It was still alive. I put it back in it's tank and it appeared to be happy. I don't remember what happened after that but I was shocked it had survived a dryer
I got my crab today! I’m going to get His set up tomorrow! :D thanks for the tips!
-Lori deserves a TV show-
Ryan Animation hahahahahahahaha
oh no I didn’t know calcium sand was bad ☹️ Going to change it to play sand soon.. Wow. I thought I knew everything about hermit crabs 😂😬
We are in the same boat
I got my crabs by accident. I went to Mexico and got some shells and I thought they were empty till I got home. I feel bad about it but I'm doing my research so they have a great home
i just spent 100 dollars on my hermit crab enclsure a week ago and im very happy with my crabs, wish kirby and kory luck!
I wanted to get hermit crabs, so I am looking up videos on their care so I could take care of them the best I could- but after hearing that they are wild caught, I don't want to contribute to the trade: however it makes me sad that they have to suffer like that and I am tempted, just so I can save them and give them a better life :/
Please post new videos for people that are just getting into this. I understand nobody should have hermit crabs but some of us to and we need help. You’re doing such a good job please update us
I found one in a painted shell in miami last night its pretty big took it home for my daughter bought all the stuff for when she gets home from school 😊
Hi. I recently adopted 2 hermit crabs and I’m not really sure how to care for them. Right now I have calcium sand but in the video you said to not use that. I was wondering what you use instead of the sand. Again I’m not sure how to care for them so I was wondering how you care for yours.
Thanks 4 this video!!!
I have hermit crabs and your right they have big personalities. One of mine is a real pincher every time I handle her which is like once a year she punches me in fact she almost broke skin last night. My biggest is always first one up, he loves first dibs. And my other two are just kinda never out so ya.
I bought my hermit crabs from a beach store and getting them a tank today
I’m literally obsessed with ur hair😍😍
I got my first hermit crab when I was five and I've been in love with them since then. I'm hoping to get one as soon as I save up enough money