Hermit Crab

[BananaAJS]

I RECENTLY GOT 2 SMALL HERMIT CRABS. ON THE INSTRUCTIONS, IT SAYS TO SUBMERGE THEM IN LUKE-WARM TAP WATER FOR 1-2 MINUTES FOR A BATH. WON'T THAT KILL THEM?

I HAVE THE CRABS IN A 1 GALLON TANK WITH HALF AN INCH OF SAND COVERING THE BOTTOM, SOME NET TO CLIMB ON, A LITTLE ROCK-BOWL WITH A SPONGE IN IT FOR WATER, AND TWO SHELLS WITH FOOD IN THEM. I LET THEM OUT ON MY WOODEN DESK THAT I MADE A CARDBOARD BARRIER AROUND SO THEY DON'T FALL OFF TO THE FLOOR. I GAVE THEM A LITTLE TINY PIECE OF APPLE FOR A SNACK ALONG WITH THEIR ORDINARY FOOD.

IS ALL OF THIS OKAY???

 

[Daughter of His]

I can't answer your question but I got a good one. My son's teacher used to take a stick, tie a piece of string a few feet long to it and use a hot glue gun and glue the other end to the hermit crab's shell. Then she's take him outside, stick the stick in the ground and let him get his exercise and she didn't have to keep track of him !! I thought it was soo creative and funny.

 

[Sylvester]

its sounds soooo cool .

 

[BananaAJS]

Lol, That Sounds Alittle Cruel... But It Could Work

 

[Daughter of His]

Actually, it doesn't hurt the hermit crab since the shell isn't part of his body, they just adopt a new shell as they grow.

 

[BananaAJS]

Okay, But Umm, I Know This Is Probably A Dumb Question, But Can Land Hermit Crabs Breath Under Water? Do They Have Gills Or Something??

 

[jeffs_girl_2004]

We have about 10 of them, we just spray them with a spray bottle to give them a bath. Also make sure you always have plenty of bigger shells that are empty for them to crawl into, they love to try on shells and sometimes they just switch shells. The set up you have for them sounds pretty good. The best advice for you is to make sure that they are warm enough and have enough water. Let me know if you have any other questions be glad to answer them for you.

 

[BananaAJS]

Alright, Thanks So Much!

 

[jeffs_girl_2004]

No problem, anytime. I had some of the same questions when my family first brought them home after being on a vacation.

 

[draper]

Set up sounds good. The whole lukewarm water thing sounds a bit odd, so I wouldn't try that...

My hermit crabs didn't work out, though they're something I'd like ot try again some day. Just make sure they have shells to grow into as jeff's girl said, and also try giving them some fresh fruit (ie slice of apple) as a treat once in a while

 

[heyjes]

Ok, so yes, your post relating to hermit crabs and hotglue is a bit old, but I couldn't resist responding. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hot glue something to your butt, see how it feels. I can't believe you would advocate doing anything of this nature to a living creature, for amusements' sake no less. What wholesome christian values to teach your children. Shame on you.
Hermit crabs actually have a very soft, unprotected body that is covered by their shell. They are very sensitive to heat and cold, and their shell acts as a conductor for both.
So, again, if you wouldn't mind, why not put on a pair of jeans or something we use to regulate our own body temp, and grab your glue gun.

 

[Daughter of His]

I've done the hot glue thing lots of times by mistake, the low temperate on bare skin and it is not really hot at all.

However, I was unaware they might feel the heat since the shell is very hard and they can vacate any time they please. Also it is mostly so they can exercise and get enjoyment.

Hope you can smile today. Yes, I am a Christian, not perfect, just forgiven. Thank you Jesus.