Things to Remember When Feeding Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs are becoming popular as pets because of their unique and interesting characteristics of changing their shells when they feel like it. They are also different in many ways and only require low maintenance when caring for them. Feeding is one important factor you have to consider when rearing hermits as pets because although they are not choosy with their food, we have to give them food that must be nutritious, clean and must not pose danger in their habitat. They can be kept on aquariums so the problem of keeping them is very minimal and less costly. We can find commercial food for our hermits easily at local pet shops but they can also enjoy some food items that are readily available in our kitchen.

They will munch on fruits, vegetables, breadcrumbs, and would you believe they also love peanut butter? So how do you make ways in feeding hermit crabs? You just need these simple things:

· Commercial pet food anything from grounded to palletized commercial food.

· Fruits

· Vegetables

· Shells that are shaped like dishes

· Water that is completely de-chlorinated

When you have these just follow these simple steps:

First step

Use the shells as containments for their food and water. The calcium in these shells can be absorbed by the food thus providing calcium supplements to your hermits. Feeding hermit crabs that are small while using a large shell can be a problem so you can put pebbles or rocks in the middle of the shell so that the smaller ones can be able to crawl over and will not drown.

Second step

When feeding hermit crabs with commercial food, you can put only about 2 small pinches of the food on their feeding shells and this can sustain the small hermits. For larger hermits, palletized commercial food is better.

Third Step

Providing sustenance from natural food is a must for hermit crabs so you have to provide them fruits regularly. Their favorite fruits are grapes, bananas and apples. They also love to munch on ripe mangoes, papaya and grated coconut. You can slice the fruits in medium size cut before feeding it to them but make sure you remove the hard skin of the fruits first.

Fourth Step

Vegetables are necessary for the hermit crabs' diet and they can eat any kind of vegetables. It would be better, however, if you could feed them carotene-rich vegetables such as carrots and corn. The carotene supplement can help them to go through their molting process easily.

Fifth Step

Because they love to eat, they must also be provided with continuous supply of clean de-chlorinated water in their tank for their drinking and bathing. Always replace old water because their water can get dirty easily as they will crawl all over their dishes.

Sixth Step

Feeding hermit crabs is much like feeding your other pets. You can treat them with other food such as plain crackers, cereals, groundnuts, corn meal, small seeds or unbuttered popcorn and they will love it.

If you want to learn more about many things on how to feed your hermit crabs with different kinds of nutritious food, you can find this information on my sight.

Steven is a hermit crab enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on feeding a hermit crab, visit [http://www.hermit-crab1.com].

Learn How to Properly Care For and Feed Your Hermit Crab

Most people don't realize that having a hermit crab as a pet can be quite exciting. These crabs borrow shells of other ocean creatures such as sea snails to live in; a big reason why these creatures obtained the name hermit crab. However, the name hermit is kind of misleading for these crabs, as they are actually very sociable and love to live in groups of more than 100.

When you own a hermit crab, it's not going to be the same as owning a cat or dog. You should learn all you can about hermit crabs including how they live and eat.

Nine Important Things You Need To Learn About Hermit Crabs

- This species, which fall under the coenobitidae family, are easy to take care of; thus they make wonderful pets.
- They have a hard exoskeleton and have five pairs of legs.
- They also live in borrowed shells of dead animals such as sea snails. While they are generally found in the water, hermit crabs can live together outside the water for several months. However, they will gravitate toward water to replenish lost moisture.
- They sleep under the sand to avoid the sun, which can kill them.
- They are happier living in groups. For many people, these animals make adorable pets.
- Many live in captivity like to live in one place together just as they do in the wild.
- Also, they are not picky about the kind of food they will eat. This means pet owners don't have to spend a lot of money on extra food just for their pet.
- They don't mind being held in the palm of their owner's hand. They won't move and don't twitch when they are being held.
- They also are very active creatures at night so keep them away from your bedroom.

How To Know When Your Hermit Crab Is Molting

Owners may be unable to know when their specific breeds are molting. Some will begin to look different and act strangely. However, here are three signs that can let you know when your pet is about to molt:

- The eyes may begin to get cloudy
- They may consume more food and water than normal
- They'll begin to dig much more

If you notice your pet doing any of these things, then you need to move them to a more humid tank and supply them with more food and water dishes.

The Diet of Hermit Crabs

They do need a well-balanced and healthy diet; this means they need a mixture of antioxidants, calcium and carotene. When the molting process is over, these crabs become deficient in carotene, which makes their color fade thus becoming dull and gray. Feed your pet plenty of carrots, corn and vegetables to keep them happy and lively.
It's best to not feed them, boxed macaroni, cheese and potato chips; stay with fish, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure they get plenty of tannin in their food supply, which can be found in tree bark and oak leaves.

Nick A. is hermit crab enthusiast. For more information and advice on feeding hermit crabs please visit www.hermitcrabland.com

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.

8 Tips on How Much to Feed a Hermit Crab

If they're living in the wild, hermit crabs eat a wide variety of food from decaying wood, fallen fruits, leaves and grasses and items that are washed ashore. These pets are omnivorous, meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. They might be very fussy with picking the shells they will use as their homes but they are not at all picky with the food they eat. They locate food in two ways: by smelling the food and by seeing other crabs eating the food.

You can buy hermit crab food from most pet stores that sell land hermit crabs. These commercially prepared foods are suitable for your crabs' diet. However, your pet hermit crab can also live with the foods we eat.

Your small pets will eat almost anything you serve them. But these foods make suitable additions to your pet's diet: apples, chicken, bananas, carrots, bread, corn, cornmeal, crackers, cereal, coconut, grapes, fish, lettuce, and shrimps with its shell. If you serve meat, make sure that they are well cooked and have no butter or sauce in them.

If the pet store near your area doesn't sell special foods, you can also buy pelleted food for turtles. Find pellets that are appropriate for the size of your hermits to prevent them from choking on large pellets.

You don't need to worry how much to feeding your pets. You can provide as much food your land hermit crab can and is willing to eat. But don't forget to remove uneaten fresh foods from their crabitat the following day to prevent the food from spoiling and attracting insects.

These fascinating creatures can also go for long periods of time without eating anything. Don't fret if your hermies do not eat for a period of time. Continue offering food and they will eat when they feel they're ready to eat again.

How much to feed a hermit crab? How much of the fresh foods and the commercially prepared foods? The key here is to balance it out. Never make your hermit crabs eat too much commercially prepared food. Always alternate it with fresh foods.

Always have fresh clean water in their cage. Keep the water in a shallow dish, or a shallow shell is preferred. These small animals can drown in the water dish if it can't climb out of the dish so make sure that it does have climbing steps of stone or wood. Seashells in their tank are the best food and water dishes since it can also be a good source of calcium for the crabs. Another good source of calcium for your hermit crabs is cuttlebone. Never use metal dishes for your crab because metal can be poisonous for them.

You can do this test on how much to feed a hermit crab. Offer two or three kinds of food at the same time. Your crab will eat the treat that has a stronger and better smell than the others, and this is the food that they like best. But of course, offer them a variety of food and not just the same food all the time.

For more answers to questions like what to feed pet hermit crabs, visit also http://www.healthyhermitcrabs.com, where you'll get this and your free 10-part mini-course to learn how to take the very best care for your hermie.

Feeding a Hermit Crab to Keep Him Healthy

While you may go to the nearest pet store and find a variety of foods that are 'safe for feeding a hermit crab', you are not limited to feeding him commercially prepared food. You may feed your pet a wide variety of foods, giving you may options to choose from. In fact, he will happiest when you do provide him with a range of healthy foods.

Fruits and Vegetables

These crabs love to eat fruits and vegetables. In fact, you may feed your crab things what you yourself would eat, things right out of your refrigerator. But, to ensure that he is getting all the required nutrients you should feed commercial food as well. And, since he really enjoys to eat a variety of foods in a day, feeding two to three different types of food is not only acceptable - he will love it!

If you with to provide your pet with a special treat you might try feeding him commercial baby foods. Baby foods have the nutrients and sweet taste that he will really enjoy. Some flavors that he might find especially delightful are: bananas, apples, mango, kiwi, sweet potatoes, pears, guava, papaya, mango and apples. Any single fruit of fruit combination would be an excellent choice to feed your pet. You might also select applesauce, fruit medley and sweet corn. But, you do not have to limit yourself to these choices any selection that has fruit as an ingredient will be enjoyed by your little friend. Hermit crabs really have a sweet tooth and will love anything with fruit in it that you give to him.

Other items that you might find in your kitchen that your pet would enjoy are; dried cereals, crackers and bread. Peanut butter, although a little messy, is also a good choice, as well as diced pears, bananas, coconut, peeled grapes and apples. For the vegetables you might choose from shredded spinach or lettuce and potatoes that have been cooked - just be sure that they have cooled sufficiently.

When preparing food for your crab, be sure to cut fruit, vegetables and plant material into very tiny pieces. You can put the food in a dish for them to eat out off or you may feed him by hand by placing the food on a plastic spoon. With a variety of natural, healthy choices along with commercially prepared food you will ensure that you are providing all the nutrients that your hermit crab needs to be healthy.

Commercial foods, while they will provide the necessary nutrients that you hermit crab needs to be healthy, may contain harmful ingredients. Steer clear of foods that have the ingredients ethoxyquin or copper sulfate on their labels. These are substances found in common pesticides! While they are not proven to be harmful to your crab, it is a wise choice to try to avoid them if at all possible.

Now you are prepared to provide your pet with the variety of healthy choices that he will love and will keep him healthy.

Joan Fox is a hermit crab enthusiast. For more information on feeding a hermit crab as well as other great information on hermit crabs care check out her web site http://www.hermitcrabshome.com

How to Feed Your Hermit Crab Properly to Ensure Its Long Life

There are all kinds of animals that can become pets. One such a pet is the hermit crab and if you own one of these creatures, you may wonder if you're actually feeding your hermit the right kind of food. Believe it or not, hermit crabs have a big, salacious appetite because these animals are not picky about the foods they will consume. Anything a human eats, they will consume as well. In saying this, however, they do need decayed wood and leafs to get the tannin they require to growth healthily.

Feed Your Hermit Crabs The Right Nutrients

When a hermit crab is captive, the diet requirements are completely different than if it was living in the wild. The reason for this difference is that humans are unable to recreate the natural habitat and food that would occur in the wild. Wild crabs would thrive on decaying meat, rotting fruits and wood as well as plants that have been washed up onto land.

When you've got a crab for a pet, you must pay special attention to the nutrients they require to stay healthy and grow. They must consume plenty of calcium and carotene to keep them healthy.

They do well on their own to pick out the healthiest foods. Experts and veterinarians say that certain brands of crab food are unhealthy for your pet. Thus, when you're shopping for crab food, be sure to read labels and see what the ingredients are. Stay away from foods that include ethoxyquin and copper sulfate as ingredients, as these are considered pesticide ingredients.

Hermit Crabs Can Consume Human Food

Make sure to feed your pet a well-balanced diet by rotating the kinds of foods you feed it. Water dishes should be rotated as well. Foods you consume can be given to them as a treat. Foods that you can give them include:

- Apples (coconut and diced pears are fine too)

- Bread (crackers and dry cereals are also good)

- Peanut butter

- Peeled grapes

- Potatoes (make sure they are cooked and have cooled down)

- Shredded lettuce

- Shredded spinach

Be sure you cut these foods into sizes that allow your crab to grab and eat it.

Hermit Crabs Do Have A Sweet Tooth

Many people and animals have a sweet tooth and hermit crabs are no exception. They love to have foods that are less than healthy for them from time to time including baby food of different flavor varieties such as:

- Apples and Bananas

- Apples and Pears

- Applesauce

- Chiquita Bananas

- Fruit Medley

- Guava Fruit Dessert

- Mango Fruit Dessert

- Mango, Kiwi and Apples

- Papaya Fruit Dessert

- Sweet Corn Casserole

- Sweet Potato and Apples

Using Seashells For Your Hermit Crab's Food and Water

Use small, shallow seashells to feed your pet food and water. Seashells will help to give them calcium that's absorbed by the food and water. Make sure you have seashells that allow your hermit crab to get in and out easily. Before giving it water, de-chlorinate first.

They are wonderful pets, as they provide lots of entertainment and fun. To make sure they stay entertaining and fun for some time to come, you must feed your pet the right kinds of foods and nutrients.

Nick A. is hermit crab enthusiast. For more information and advice on feeding hermit crabs please visit http://www.hermitcrabland.com

Your Pet Hermit Crab's Care and Feeding Tips

Learn Tips for the Care & Feeding of Your Pet Hermit Crab

Regular care and timely feeding is what's needed for the health and happiness of hermit crabs along with being the secret for their longevity. Never ignore your pet hermit crab otherwise it likely will die within few months. If you want your pet hermit crab to live for years in a healthy state, you need to create proper environment to exist and provide healthy food.

Care for your pet hermit crab begins with their habitat. A glass fish aquarium is probably the best home for your pet. They need to have a moist warm climate to thrive and this will fill the bill. Because hermit crabs are climbers a surface like glass will do the best job of keeping them secure. You also want to sure the lid is secure to prevent your pet from escaping.

The floor of their home should ideally be covered in sand. Its recommended the sand be at least 2 inches deeper than the height of their shell. Keep the sand moist so they can burrow down in it easily. This is a must for them to molt. They could stay in their burrow for a couple of weeks so don't worry if you don't see them for a while.

Even though I keep talking about a pet hermit crab it probably best to at least have a pair as they are social animals. The more you have in your crabarium the more chances you will have to observe them doing interesting things. Make sure you have plenty of shells for them to choose from.

Make sure that the habitat is cleaned and supplied with fresh water daily. Clam shells are recommended for their food and water dishes as they are not only more interesting then a dish but they will supply some calcium for the crabs. Depending on the size of your pet hermit crabs you may need to put a rock or something similar in the deepest part of the water shell to keep them from drowning as they will crawl into the shell

Shells are likely the most important part of the pet hermit crabs care. The shell is what protects the crabs soft abdomen. Without a shell the crab is fairly well doomed. Make sure you have plenty of shells in their home. You also need to make sure the shell are increasing in size. Although the littler crabs will use a shell that has been discarded by a larger one, keep in mind that some crabs are finicky about choosing a shell. The shell are also good decorations so have a lot of different types and sizes.

Humidity is an important part of your pet crab's life. It is recommended that the humidity be around 70%. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. You can spritz them but this is a short term solution. A natural sponge soaked with water is a good method and also acts as a decoration. Keeping the sand damp will also act as a humidifier. An electric humidifier is another way but I only recommend this a last resort.

Warmth is also a must. The crabs usually come from jungles so keep this in mind when providing their home. The recommended temperature is 72-80 degrees. If the temperature goes below 72 degrees for a period of time it could cause stress or health problems for your pet hermit crab.

The proper type of food is crucial for your pet hermit crabs health. They need plenty of calcium so you should buy a specially formulated food from a pet store or you can also make their food at home. Since the creatures are scavengers and will eat almost anything you can give them a variety of foods like fruits, crackers, egg shells and vegetables. Remember not to leave uneaten food because mold and bugs will infest the habitat.

Handle hermit crabs with care. In the beginning, the easiest way to hold them is by its shell to avoid getting pinched. After the crab begins to trust you more you can try putting it in the palm of your hand. Make sure to keep your hand flat. The crab might pinch you if it thinks it will fall. If one pinches you, try not to panic, and hold it under running warm water to make it let go. Be careful never to drop the crab, which could kill it, and never attempt to take it out of its shell. A hermit crab would rather be torn apart than be separated from its shell.

If you are thinking of getting a pet but haven't decided on what kind you might want to think about a hermit crab especially if you have children. A crab is fairly inexpensive to acquire and doesn't cost much to take care of. Kids like to have things that are unique and a pet hermit will certainly fill the bill. With kid's pets the parents are often called on to make sure they have been taken care of and with crab it won't be the problem a puppy or kitty might be.

Don Levy

hermit crabs PetCo Website

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should go to the website at Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

The Different Ways to Feed a Hermit Crab

Many Hermit Crabs are purchased as souvenirs at seaside shops, and the new owner takes his living memento home without a clue about how to feed a Hermit Crab.

HOW TO FEED A HERMIT CRAB FROM YOUR FRIDGE

Hermit crabs are omnivores - which is defined as an animal that will feed on many different kinds of food, including both plants and animals. This makes feeding them a fairly easy task, since there is a lot of variety to choose from, and many of the items can be found in the refrigerator. They are scavengers and are used to eating leftovers.

The primary consideration when learning how to feed your pet is to ensure the food is free from pesticides and preservatives, and that water has been de-chlorinated.

When feeding a hermit crab, topping the list of best foods are carotene and calcium. Carotene is easily derived from shredded carrots and other brightly colored vegetables and fruits. Calcium is present in greens such as kale, parsley and collards and in legumes, such as chickpeas.

Offering fish or chicken, will satisfy your pet's protein needs and keep him from chewing on his tank-mates.

HOW TO FEED A HERMIT CRAB FROM YOUR PANTRY

From crackers to cereals, unsalted peanuts to plain, popped popcorn, the pantry offers a wealth of feeding options. This is helpful when you've run out of the little crustacean's store-bought food, or you're running short on fresh fruits and vegetables.

HOW TO FEED A HERMIT CRAB FROM THE PET STORE

Pet stores have many ways to solve the problem of feeding hermit crabs. From specially formulated dry mixtures to frozen treats, your new pet is sure to be delighted with the variety. When choosing a dry food, read the label carefully. Believe it or not, even specially made food can be contaminated with items that are toxic to crustaceans. Look for Ethoxyquin and Copper Sulfate, two ingredients that must be avoided if your pet is to remain healthy.

Frozen foods that are suitable include brine shrimp, snails, krill and plankton. Cuttlebone and oyster shells will provide calcium. There are also mixtures of grains and seeds formulated specifically for them. Seaweed is an important part of their diet, and may be available in freeze dried or powdered form.

FEEDING A HERMIT CRAB FROM THE SPECIALTY FOOD STORE

Tropical fruits aren't always available at ordinary grocery stores, but your pet's eyes will goggle with delight when he is presented with papaya, mango, guava, pomegranate, kiwi fruit and his all-time favorite: freshly shredded coconut.

FEEDING A HERMIT CRAB FROM THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Everything from leaf litter, decaying wood, flowers from trees and bushes, and marigold petals are all yummy from their point of view, provided that none of it has been sprayed with pesticides or treated with fertilizers. If it's found in nature, it's on the menu.

VARIETIES OF FOOD FOR YOUR PET

In the wild, they are constantly eating different things. In fact, if presented with the same food day in and day out, the response is sometimes to stop eating altogether. Therefore, it is important to provide your pet with a smorgasbord of tastes and textures. It is fun to think up new foods to offer your pet.

METHODS TO FEEDING YOUR PET

Metal is harmful to crustaceans, so offer food and water in plastic or glass bowls. An even better choice is a seashell, because some of the calcium dissolves into the water. The primary concern is that the water not be too deep. If the shell has a deep end, be sure to add pebbles so that your pet can climb out.

Hand feeding is possible once it has grown accustomed to you. If the food is aromatic and tasty, you may be able to coax the little hermit to come out of its shell. At that moment, you will know that you have mastered the art of feeding your hermit crab.

Nick A. is hermit crab enthusiast. For more information and advice on feeding a hermit crab please visit http://www.hermitcrabland.com