Getting to Know...Your Hermit Crab
Hermit Crabs. It's not surprising that you are looking for more information on this cute little creature. You will get at that "adorable" stage if you aren't there yet. Because the longer you know them the more adorable they get! I don't think it would be far fetched to say that most of us don't know very much about hermit crabs. Therefore the thought of bringing one of them in as a pet might seem as good idea as it would be to bring in a python or tarantula as a pet.
But I do not want to put these little cute hermit crabs in the same group as the two above. I am not going to say anything bad about the tarantula or python however I will say some good stuff about hermit crabs. For starters this little pet has the potential to be the ideal pet!
It is recommended that you learn about a pet before you take it into your home. it's a good idea to know exactly what you are getting into before you take it home. So it's no different with the hermit crab. I will describe this little creature with scientific terms and some layman's interpretations so you can improve your understanding. Don't worry though any scientific terms that I use I will try and explain them so you can better understand them.When you daughter or son goes crazy over the hermit crab in the tourist shop along the coast or at your local pet store window he is looking at a terrestrial (land based) hermit crab. This crab is a part of the family of coenobitidae. You can learn more about hermit crabs here.
These animals are very destinctive in the wild. These little crustaceans are quite different from many other animals. One of the main differences is the fact that he uses his shell as his home. Another is that he was born in the ocean. They have the ability to live out of the water for several months before they will eventually crawl back to the shore to take a dip in the water to replenish their need.
The supplies and food that you need is probably less than you think. One of the most important things to do when you are buying a hermit crab is to consider buying more than one. Hermit crabs are actually "happy social crabs". Although there name may imply that they are antisocial they actually are not. You will know what I mean once you start interacting with your new pet friends. When you get out to buy your crab make sure that you buy more than one.
Unfortunately Hermit Crabs are not cheaper by the dozen but trust me they will be much happier when you collect them that way. I know of many hermit crab owners who really do buy them by the dozen. You will find them together more then you will find them alone in their natural habitat.
If you want to learn more information about hermit crabs and how to care for them click here to visit the Hermit Crab Care Center
