A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall The Critter Corner Hermit Crab Help and Advice Please

We recently aquired a new pet hermit crab. We have had it for almost a week now and it doesn't seem to be eating at all. I would really appreciate any advice any of you may have. My little Brennan is very attached and would be devastated if Lizzie didn't make it.

Oh gosh, I used to have those! Been wanting them again. It has been so long but I will see if I remember.............What kind of food bowl? Seems like I used to feed mine in things like baby food jar lids and mason jar lids. Some people keep sponges in the water but I always used a small crock bowl and kind of shoved it down in the gravel so it would not tip over. I do know that when they are molting (shedding their skin) that they do not eat. Maybe that is what is going on? I did not know they did this until one day I though one was dead and was going to bury it..............for some reason I stuck it up to my ear and heard weird clicking noises, so I left it alone and sure enough, that is what happened! I also used gravel like in fish tanks and rinsed it once a week, otherwise, it really got to smelling! I gave fresh treats but I can't remember what they were...........apples and stuff maybe? Don't know if any of this helps, but now I am really wanting them again! Let me know how it goes!

Thanks so much for your help. I'm feeding her out of small sea shells that are probably a little less than an inch wide. I also have the sponge in water for the moisture. I keep it wet and have it sitting in a sea shell that I put a small amount of water in the bottom of. She does seem to like the aquarium gravel you had mentioned. There is about an inch of sand and the cage was sprinkled with aquarium rocks on top of that. She gathered all of the rocks and put them in the corner. Then, she dug a small spot and kind of made a nest with the rocks around her. It is pretty cute. She seems very sociable which I thought was odd. Everytime we pick her up she immediately comes out of her shell.

Sounds like you got it covered! Are you sure she is not eating when no one is around? That is so cute that she rounded up everything and put it where she wants it! Now that you said that, seems like mine would rearrange things too! Have you seen her groom yet? It was always so neat watching their little feelers (or whatever) come up from underneath and groom their eyes!

Oh yeah...........don't know why I did this...........DON'T EVER HOLD ONE AND TAKE YOUR OTHER HAND AND COVER IT UP..............that pincher hurts! I am sure it thought it was being eaten......like I said, don't know why I did that one! I really liked mine. My first one was when I was in elementary school, I remember dad taking me and for what ever reason he took me to class and I told everyone that I had crabs! Dad told me not to say that but I could not understand why?!?!? My next ones were when Jesse was around 3 or 4. He had 2 crabs and a hamster in his room. Miss those too! (like I don't have enough to take care of now.........17 rescued cats and 2 dogs)! Would really like to have more crabs though, and a chinchilla!

How long do they normally live?

Can't remember........Jesse dropped one and killed it, and seems like I had the other one for 3 or 4 years?. This was like 15 years ago and my memory only goes as far back as last Thursday!

Poor thing! I'm so afraid when we're holding her she'll pinch or something and we'll panic and drop her. I try to make sure Brennan holds her close over carpet or something just in case. She is kinda odd to hold onto. Especially when she is walking around.

I'm glad to know they can live that long. I was afraid they were pretty much a 'disposable' type of pet.

She will do fine, just don't make sudden movements. I am sure she knows you guys by now. Just keep doing what you are doing. I got a small book years ago at the pet store and there was so many do's and dont's, I thought I was doing everything wrong going by that book, but it seemed not. Just keep her clean, happy, and fed and it's fine!

Just a thought..........I have seen some for sale with painted shells and those surely can't be safe. I would think they would have to give off some sort of toxic fumes or something. I just used shells in their natural state.

One more thing..........put some empty shells in the tank with her if you have not already done so, they like to change shells and also need them to grow bigger.

Hi Rachel! Sounds like Wendy has given lots of good advise and that you seem to be doing OK with your crabs!

When I was in Washington I got to see and hold my granddaughters crabs. Hers are in a large aquarium, with sand and gravel and narly wood with 'cubby holes' to get in. I think she has two or three, and some empty shells also. I love watching her take them out and letting them crawl on her leg or arm and shoulder. I didn't even think of asking how, or what, she fed them. But they were cute. I wish I had witnessed a grooming session!!!

I never thought of things like that grooming till I actually saw it! It was just so cute! A few summers ago, those crab spiders that make webs at night?.....I was watching one groom itself. Really neat!