| Land Hermit Crabs have grown in popularity as pets, | | | | of its modified gills, which need to be kept moist, but |
| and will provide many years of enjoyment if they are | | | | which breathe oxygen from air with high humidity. |
| given proper care and an appropriate habitat. | | | | The amazing creatures are omnivorous, meaning that |
| Knowing the facts about your Land Hermit Crab's | | | | they eat just about anything they come across. For |
| needs will make the difference between a pet that | | | | this reason, it is important to keep toxic material |
| lives for 6 months, and one that lives for 30 years or | | | | away from their habitat. Even the paint flakes from |
| more. | | | | painted shells will be eaten. In their natural habitat, |
| They are named for their habit of retreating into | | | | Purple Pinchers are used to having access to a wide |
| their shells and hiding although, unlike human hermits, | | | | variety of foods, and prefer it slightly less than fresh. |
| they are actually social animals that thrive in groups. | | | | That is because they are scavengers whose job it is |
| Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans, meaning they | | | | to clean up the environment. They will eat everything |
| have 10 feet and an exoskeleton, but they are more | | | | from leaf litter, to rotting fruit, to sand dollars, to |
| closely related to lobsters than to true crabs. | | | | dead fish. |
| These creatures do not grow their own shells, but | | | | While they get along well, sometimes they fight over |
| must use the abandoned shells of other sea | | | | territory - such as a favorite hideaway - or shells. |
| creatures. As they grow larger, they are constantly | | | | They are very particular about their shells, and tend |
| moving into roomier shells. Owners should make sure | | | | to be more confident when they inhabit a colorful |
| there are seashells of various sizes available for their | | | | shell. |
| pets. | | | | Salt plays an important role in the Purple Pincher's life. |
| In order to grow larger, Land Hermit Crabs must | | | | Eggs burst when they come in contact with |
| shed their exoskeleton, which they do by molting | | | | saltwater, so that the larvae are released into the |
| underground. That is why it is vital to provide at least | | | | ocean. Hermit crabs load up on saltwater prior to |
| 6 inches of moist sand and coconut fiber for the | | | | molting, so that they will be able to release their old |
| creature to burrow into. It is also absolutely essential | | | | exoskeleton. Not just any salt will do - it must be |
| that the molting crab not be disturbed during this | | | | aquarium salt. Table salt has iodide, which is toxic to |
| stressful time. Inexperienced owners worry that | | | | hermit crabs. They also need access to fresh water, |
| there is something wrong with their pet when he | | | | but cannot tolerate chlorinated water. Seashells are |
| disappears underground for anywhere from 2 weeks | | | | an ideal container for both saltwater and fresh water, |
| (for tiny babies) to 3 months (for large adults,) but | | | | since some of the shell's calcium will add needed |
| this is a perfectly natural and necessary process. | | | | nutrients to the hermit crab's diet. |
| Very few hermit crabs can survive above-ground | | | | Each land hermit crab has a distinct personality. Some |
| molts. | | | | are more outgoing than others. Some are downright |
| The most common of the land hermit crabs is called | | | | crabby. In case a Purple Pincher ever has you by the |
| a Caribbean, or Purple Pincher. While most of its front | | | | finger, the way to get it to let go is to run a little |
| legs are bright orange, its large pincher is purple, | | | | warm water over the claw. |
| hence the name. In the wild, it is found on beaches, | | | | Knowing as much as possible about these fascinating |
| from Florida to Venezuela. Although it is hatched in | | | | creatures allows the owner to offer a near-ideal |
| the ocean, when it is mature it cannot be completely | | | | habitat. That is the best way to ensure a long life for |
| submerged in water, or it will drown. This is because | | | | hermit crabs. |