A land hermit crab is an extraordinary pet because of its ability to make attention-grabbing, easy-to-care-for friends. Hermit crabs carry no diseases, are hypoallergenic, are neat and clean, and do not require much living space. They're fun to play with because of their inquisitive nature and distinct character. Unlike other crabs, the land hermit crab is non-aggressive and isn't bothered when people handle it. Due to its sociable nature, it is recommended to have more than one crab [source: Hermit Crabs Home]. Here's how to care for a Hermit Crab.
- Hermit crabs require moisture. Even though they live on land, they nevertheless breathe though their gills. In order for the gills to work properly, they must remain moist. Keep a large wet sponge in the cage so that the crab can keep itself moist by crawling under it and remaining there for a while. Make sure the sponge is always wet.
- Hermit crabs are most comfortable in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 26.6 degrees Celsius). Make sure the room where the crab lives is warm and moist. Keep it away from air-conditioned rooms, because air-conditioners dry the air.
- Hermit crabs need a bit of water. Keep a small, shallow dish of fresh water in the crab's cage. If the dish is too deep, the crab might fall in and be unable to crawl out. If that happened, the crab would drown.
- Hermit Crabs aren't fussy eaters. You can feed them a wide variety of foods ranging from vegetables to fruit, and will even eat peanut butter. You can feed them all kinds of table scraps including meat pieces. It's advisable to feed them foods that contain calcium [source: Pet Aquarium].
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