Hermit crabs!

[Shang]

Yay!

So, who here has a hermit crab? 

I just got one today and later on I'll be upgrading his tank to a ten gallon and getting him some sand other tidbits so he can be really happy, and so I can get him a buddy.

He is so adorable!  And he has no name right now, but I'm still thinking on it.  And....

Here he is!



I'm sorry the picture's so big!  My camera takes really big pictures.

[Sarra]

I used to have saltwater hermit crabs. they were in my reef tank.

I had one named Big Ugly, because it was big and ugly. In the wild, they get to be MASSIVE, and quite ugly. :p I think they got to be 4 feet long...

What is the care like for the non-saltwater hermits?

[Shang]

A lot more complicated than I thought, but not too bad.  It's recommended you get a 10 gallon tank or a 5 gallon tank, and place some sort of play sand (the consistency of sand to build sand castles) for them to burrow into so they can molt.  Then you want a bowl for water (preferably bottled or non-chlorinated) and a bowl of salt water and a bowl for food.  Then they pretty much eat anything, like veggies and fruits.  You can even feed them some scrambled eggs if you'd like, and apparently they like cheddar cheese.

Mine currently gets some parsley and strawberries and tomorrow he'll get some eggs with parsley cooked in, since they're supposed to love it.

They can also run around if you want, just make sure they don't get into anything.  They're a lot easier to take care of than a dog. xD

[Sarra]

lol Sounds pretty easy. Maybe I will get some use out of the spare 10 gallon tank I've got after all. :p

[Shang]

xD Do it! :p

They're really easy to take care of once you have the tank set up...and they make you eat healthy because they eat healthy.

[Sarra]

Blah, I'll just end up with a fat hermit crab. @___@

I may be moving shortly, so I probably will move before setting up another tank.

[Shang]

If your hermit crab is like mine, you don't have to worry about a fat one.  Viktor runs around like it's going out of style, it's pretty cute.

That'd be a good idea.  Don't listen if the guy says they get carsick.  It's a lie. xD

[jmaxley]

I want one now.  So cute.

[Shang]

 

My plan is working (lol).  They really are adorable.  I don't know how I've lasted this long without one.

[jmaxley]

Must...resist...not...working....gah!  Looks like I'll have to stop by the pet store next time I go to town.

[Shang]

  Wooo! 

If you do get one, you have to take pictures!  And I have some really good sites that cater to hermit crabs and people who own them. =)  It's where I learned you can give a hermit crab eggs.

[Shang]

Thanks!   He's totally awesome, but lonely...so I'm getting him a playmate on Thursday.

[Sarra]

Saltwater hermits are lazy buggers. :p not a lot of movement there. They tend not to eat as much though...

[Shang]

These guys don't eat very much, either.  I can't even tell if he's eaten the strawberries, but he's not dead so I guess he has to be eating something.

[Sarra]

Invertebrates and reptiles can go extended periods of time without eating. I seriously would recommend you NOT try it though.

[Shang]

After doing some reading, it takes several days to find out if the hermit crabs have eaten or not because they eat so little and only eat at night.  At least I know it'll be cheap to feed him. xD

Oh!  He made this totally awesome sound that's really weird, but so cute! http://www.hermit-crabs.com/chirping.html  <--- That site has a link to a file of the sound.

[Robyn]

Slowed down, the sound clearly becomes:

"Feed me, Seymour."

[Shang]

Slowed down, the sound clearly becomes:

"Feed me, Seymour."

XD I laughed and I'm still smiling.