Top 5 Mistakes New Hermit Crab Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

Welcoming a hermit crab into your life can be an incredibly rewarding experience. These fascinating little creatures, with their unique behaviors and quirky personalities, make for captivating pets. However, as with any pet, there are common mistakes that new hermit crab owners tend to make. These mistakes can affect the health and happiness of your hermit crab. To help you provide the best care possible, we’ve compiled a list of the top five mistakes new hermit crab owners make and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Habitat

One of the most common mistakes new hermit crab owners make is not providing an adequate habitat. Hermit crabs need a specific environment to thrive, and a standard plastic container or glass aquarium without the right setup simply won’t do.

Mistake: Inadequate Tank Size

Many new owners mistakenly believe that a small, plastic container or a tiny glass tank is sufficient for hermit crabs. In reality, hermit crabs require ample space to move, explore, and burrow.

How to Avoid It:

• Choose the Right Tank: While hermit crabs can live in smaller spaces, a 2-3 gallon tank is a great starting point for one or two small hermit crabs. If you have more crabs or larger species, consider expanding to a larger tank. Hermit crabs are social creatures and thrive in groups, so providing enough space is essential for their wellbeing.

• Maintain Proper Humidity and Temperature: Hermit crabs are tropical creatures and require a warm and humid environment. Keep the tank temperature between 75-85°F and humidity levels around 70-80%. A digital hygrometer and thermometer can help you monitor these levels accurately.

2. Neglecting Shells

Shells are not just homes for hermit crabs; they are also protection. A common oversight among new owners is not providing enough suitable shells for their hermit crabs to choose from.

Mistake: Lack of Shell Options

New hermit crab owners often make the mistake of offering only one or two shell options. Each hermit crab has its preferences when it comes to shells, so it's important to have a variety available.

How to Avoid It:

• Provide a Variety of Shells: Always have multiple shells available in different sizes and shapes. Hermit crabs are picky about their shells, and each one has its preferences. Providing a variety ensures that each crab can find a shell it feels comfortable in.

3. Improper Diet and Nutrition

Diet is a critical aspect of hermit crab care that is often misunderstood by new owners. Hermit crabs are scavengers by nature, requiring a variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs.

Mistake: Feeding an Inadequate Diet

New owners may not always provide a balanced and varied diet, which is essential for the health of hermit crabs.

How to Avoid It:

• Offer a Balanced Diet: Hermit crabs need a varied diet that includes proteins, fruits, vegetables, and calcium. Foods like unsalted nuts, dried shrimp, leafy greens, and apples are great additions to their diet. Calcium is especially important for shell development, so provide sources like crushed eggshells, cuttlebone, or coral sand.

• Avoid Harmful Foods: Stay away from processed foods, anything with salt, onion, garlic, or citrus, and avoid foods containing preservatives like ethoxyquin, which is harmful to hermit crabs.

4. Lack of Enrichment and Stimulation

Hermit crabs are curious and active creatures that enjoy exploring their environment. Providing them with a stimulating habitat is crucial for their mental and physical wellbeing.

Mistake: An Empty and Boring Tank

New hermit crab owners often underestimate the need for enrichment, resulting in a bare tank with no opportunities for exploration or exercise.

How to Avoid It:

• Create a Stimulating Environment: Include climbing structures, like branches, rocks, and choya wood, and hideouts like coconut huts or small caves. Hermit crabs love to climb and hide, so providing a diverse range of items to explore keeps them active and engaged.

• Regularly Change the Setup: Change up the tank layout periodically to provide new challenges and stimulation. Rearranging decorations, adding new structures, and changing the substrate levels can create a fresh environment for your crabs to explore.

• Encourage Natural Behavior: Hermit crabs naturally dig and burrow, so ensure they have enough substrate to do so. Additionally, mist the tank occasionally to mimic rain, which can encourage natural behaviors like bathing and cleaning.

5. Handling Hermit Crabs Incorrectly

Handling hermit crabs improperly can cause them stress or even injury. New owners often don’t realize that these little creatures can be quite delicate and that handling them too frequently or incorrectly can be harmful.

Mistake: Overhandling and Rough Handling

Overhandling hermit crabs can cause them stress, as can handling them roughly or picking them up by their legs or shells.

How to Avoid It:

• Handle with Care: When you need to handle your hermit crabs, do so gently and infrequently. Support them from underneath, letting them walk onto your hand rather than grabbing them.

• Minimize Stress: Limit handling to times when it's necessary, like cleaning the tank or performing health checks. Remember that hermit crabs are not like dogs or cats; they don’t enjoy being handled and prefer to be left to explore their environment.

• Observe Before Handling: Always observe your crab’s behavior before handling. If they are molting or seem stressed, it’s best to leave them alone. A molting crab is extremely vulnerable and should not be disturbed.

Conclusion: Caring for Hermit Crabs the Right Way

Avoiding these common mistakes can make a significant difference in the health and happiness of your hermit crabs. By providing a proper habitat, ensuring a varied diet, offering enrichment, and handling them correctly, you can create a safe and engaging environment for your new pets.

Remember, every hermit crab is unique and may have specific needs or preferences. Spend time observing their behavior and adjusting their care as needed. With the right knowledge and a little effort, you can be a fantastic hermit crab owner, offering a great life for these fascinating creatures.

If you’re a new hermit crab owner or considering becoming one, keep these tips in mind to ensure that you avoid the common pitfalls and provide the best care possible for your new little friends. Happy crabbing!