Is a hermit crab really a good pet? Pros and cons
Hermit crab pets are believed to be exotic. By exotic, we generally mean rare and not easy to find, but the fact is that while few people keep them as pets, they are available in large quantities. These crabs belong to the ‘Paguroidea’ family and are omnivores or herbivores, which means they will eat anything. There are also terrestrial and aquatic species. Aquatics are good if you have a fish tank, as they are useful as scavengers for algae and debris. Land crabs are the ones that are normally kept as pets. Before deciding to have a hermit crab as a pet, you need to learn everything about them. Below you will find information on the pros and cons of owning this interesting animal to help you get started.
Pros:
A hermit crab as a pet requires very little maintenance. This means that the owner does not need to constantly feed or care for them like other pets. They are very cheap to keep as they do not eat much and need little shelter.
A small fish tank will work perfectly for your hermit crab. Make sure you have enough sand for them to dig and molt and a variety of shells larger than the one they live in.
They do not take up much space or require a certain type of area.
I’ve never heard of a hermit crab as a pet eating someone’s slipper.
They don’t make any kind of sound.
You don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to let them out.
These pets are very inexpensive. You can buy a complete set of crabs with 2 crabs, cage, sand, shells, food and water dishes, climbing tree, etc. for $ 30.
They make excellent pets for children to help teach responsibility. If they forget to take care of them, as children have a habit of doing, it is no big deal for parents to do it.
Domestic hermit crabs can accommodate your busy lifestyle. A couple of minutes a day will take care of most of your needs. Your cage will only need a thorough cleaning once a month.
Cons:
Hermit crab pets are not interactive. There is a lack of “bonding” compared to other pets. It’s like having fish where you won’t be able to do much more than look at them. though they will crawl in your hand.
They will need a good substrate to be able to dig and molt. The wet sand is fine, but the gravel is not that good as they cannot dig into it very easily.
Although many of the hermit crab species die in a short time, there are exceptions. For example, some species can live up to 23 years if properly maintained and some have been reported to have lived more than 32 years.
Although fairly low maintenance, their homes need regular cleaning or they can start to smell bad.
Your pet’s crabs require warm, humid conditions. They should have relatively high humidity, so they may need to be doused with water or have a large damp sponge in your home.
Any water that comes in contact with your pet crab should always be de-chlorinated.
Your pet will need to have his food and water dishes changed daily and any fruits or vegetables that he has not eaten will be removed.
They are nocturnal, which means that they are most active at night. This dramatically reduces viewing time as they mostly remain in their shells during the day.
Each pet hermit crab will need its own shell. Be sure to provide different types and sizes of shells. The shells form a protective covering for your soft abs. You need to make sure to provide larger shells for the crabs as they outgrow the current ones.
Domestic hermit crabs are unusual but interesting companions that are easy to care for. They are curious about their surroundings, have different personalities, and are also active. These features will provide an interesting display. The fact that their maintenance is relatively low increases the appeal of having them as a pet. This means that if you don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for your pet but are looking for an interesting one, they will fill the bill. Although you can’t walk them or play fetch, they make great pets for kids, as their friends probably don’t have one. They are the perfect show and tell subject for school. They are easy to feed and care for so children can do it on their own. All in all, a pet hermit crab is the perfect choice for the whole family.
Don levy Hermit Crabs Wikipedia-Hermit Crabs