Is Feeding A Hermit Crab Really That Difficult?

Unlike most exotic pets, hermit crabs are low cost, low maintenance creatures and this includes feeding time. Other exotic pets are extremely picky where food is concerned, only eating a certain species of locust that is found in deepest darkest Africa. This type of food will set you back a small fortune. However where our little friends are concerned, feeding a hermit crab is a relatively simple and more importantly, inexpensive process. There are a few things that you will need to know in order to make the process work.

In the wild the land version of these critters is a forager. They live on or around the shoreline. So being limited to a small area, they have had to adapt to eat whatever they can find in and around that particular locale.This means things like fruit, such as mango, papaya, coconut, also items like tree bark are a delicacy. They will even eat smaller crustaceans such as tiny shrimp, as well as carrion they may find washed up on the beach. So in the wild they are really not fussy at all and in captivity this is the case also.

Feeding a crabby companion as a pet is a relatively simple process and a whole lot of fun too. The reason for this is that you can feed them "people food" This is basically all the healthy style foodstuffs that we eat. However there are a few small rules. Firstly veggies should be washed thoroughly and dried because these little critters just love to crunch when they munch. You can also throw in a little cooked meat and fish. However make sure that the meat is thoroughly cooked and contains no sauce or spices.

Obviously feeding a crabby critter entirely on "people food" is not the perfect scenario.You can purchase special processed food from your local pet store and this provides all the nutrients that the crab needs. So the ideal balance would be part "people food" and part manufactured feed.

One thing that your lovable critter needs is carotene. If a crabby critter is deficient in carotene it will become a dull washed out color. One way to combat this is to feed him brightly colored vegetables such as carrots and corn kernels. Although the Ecuadorian version of the creature tends to suffer from this condition more so than the other species.

Along with human food, it is advisable when planning a diet for your crabby companions to feed them tannin rich substances. Bark and oak tree leaves are said to be a rich source of tannin.

Finally, believe it or not, your new found pet also has a bit of a sweet tooth. So the next time you fancy a chocolate fix, then don't forget your crab. They also love peanut butter, although this can get a little messy. As with all sweet sugary foods, please feed in moderation.

As you can see, feeding a hermit crab is easy if you know how. Just make sure that you vary their diet and you will find that they will live a long and happy life.

Tod Schaffer is a Hermit Crab enthusiast who has vast experience of raising Hermit Crabs. For more information about Feeding A Hermit Crab, Visit Hermit Crabs.