I have a hermit crab that dose not come out of it's shell hardley at all.Whats wrong.?

Answer 1

Do you only have one?? That is more than likely the problem. Hermit crabs are NOT hermits at all! They must live in groupd because in the wild they live in colonies of 100 and more, so by keeping one he is stressed, unhappy and lonely.

Hermit crabs do not come OUT of their shell but will allow their walking pairs of legs out so they may scurry around.

Please get another hermit crab or two so this crab becomes more friendly and active. He is probably under a great deal of stress as all new crabs are and if you keep over handling it, it will die.

THey are not pet pets that enjoy being handled and messed with.... if you wanted a petable animal you should have looked into a furry animal. People ahve no long term luck with Land Hermit Crabs because they have no clue. We have 15 and 10 year old crabs with only 4 deaths to date for the past 15 years.
Please take some of our advice.

You must get the tank within the proper ranges and use the proper set up. Here are the basics....

Are Hermit Crabs the pet for you??
Land Hermit Crabs are portrayed as easy to care for, cheap and noveltypets. This is not really true! There are some basics that you need to know before actually buying your first Hermit Crabs. Read on below and then you can decide if this is the pet for you.

Housing:
Glass tank with lid (aquarium with glass lid is best) Can use a quality KritterKeeper with saran wrap over the lid for a temporary house.

Substrate:
Options include... Calci-Sand, Sterilized plays and, Aragonite Sand, Moist coco-fiber bedding, Crushed coral.
You can mix and match, have separate areas and containers, it is up to you. Remember there needs to be enough substrate to fully cover the "floor" or the tank. Deep enough for your largest crab to fully submerse or cover it's self. The substrate also needs to be pretty smooth, meaning little
to no jagged edges to scrape or injure the Hermit Crabs Exoskeleton prior to, during and after molting.
It also must be insect and chemical free. Human or animal grade not the kind that is used for construction or masonry.

Thermometer and Hygrometer:
Land Hermit Crabs, breathe through modified gills therefore they must have the proper humidity in order to breathe as well as the proper temperature in order to thrive.
You need to monitor all of the tank conditions. One for the temp and one for the humidity will get you started. Keep them as close to substrate level as possible since that is where the crabs are most of the time.
76 - 80 degrees and everyone will be fine. Do not allow the Hermit Crabs to get cold for long periods or they can die.

Humidity ranges should be around 76-80% relative, sustained.
With in these levels your crabs and their home will be a happy and active one. If it gets too warm, you can always prop up the lid, same if the humidity gets too high, prop the lid up. To add moisture/humidity add an extra moist sponge or even a bubbler in their water dish.

Light:
Hermit Crabs require 12 hours of sunlight each day. This can be a combo of natural and artificial light. The normal aquarium hood light can be good enough.
Once you are ready to get more advanced or need more heating you can buy a bi-light that has both day-glo and nigh-glo bulbs.. for heat and light during the day and heat during the night. Always try to have full spectrum when possible so the Hermit Crabs get enough of the proper lighting.

Heating:
Land Hermit Crabs live in tropical areas, there for it is quite warm and humid. First there is the heat. Sometimes the lights you use give off a fair amount of heat, yet that does not reach the depths of your substrate when some crabs may be buried.
A UTH (Under Tank Heater) will answer this issue. Found in the reptile area of most pet stores and available in a variety of sizes.. once firmly attached to the bottom of your tank, it will provide heat to the substrate which some crabs prefer.
Make sure you have a cool side and a warm side. UTH should not be used on plastic Kritter Keepers due to warping and the toxic fumes some plastics can give off.. so watch where you stick it!

Dishes:
You will want at very least 3 dishes. 2 are for water and one will be used for food. Sometimes it is good to have extras due to separating wet and dried foods or to switch out for cleanings.
They are to be heavy and sturdy, non-porous and NON-METALLIC.
Remember there is to never be any metal within your crabs home, especially that may come into contact with water or moisture.

Extra shells:
Rule of thumb, 3 per crab.. one larger, one about the same and one slightly smaller. Do not offer painted or decorated shells if you can help it, the paint is toxic. Wash them and offer them different ones from time to time. If the crabs do not have a proper
shell they will die.

Sea sponges:
Natural, un-bleached and un-dyed sea sponges only. Non-man made. These can be found in pet stores and in some department stores as well. They need to be rinsed and dried to keep bacteria and uglies away, so have an extra or two so you can rotate them. Boiling will also sterilize them.

Water basics:
Use only de-chlorinated or bottled water for everything Hermit Crabs related. The chemicals in tap water (chlorine and heavy metals are toxic to Hermit Crabs also will burn their modified gills.)
You can treat tap water by using a water conditioner for fish, make sure their drinking water doesn't have stress-coat in it though. Land Hermit Crabs must have both fresh and salt water for drinking. The salt should be obtained from a good aquarium store or pet department, reading the directions carefully.
The fresh water should be de-chlorinated as well. Both dishes should be deep enough for your largest Hermit Crab to fully submerse it's self, while at the same time provide items like shells, smooth stones for your smaller crabs to use to get in and out of the water. One or both water sources can have bubblers or sponges, it is up to you.

Misting Bottle:
Have one ready if your humidity drops, or to spot clean a crab who you want to play with, or to physically check. You can also have a second one with fresh salt water to control mold and fungus. This water also must be de-chlorinated and Hermie Safe.

Food:
Provide a nice selection of fresh and dried foods daily. Fresh foods can stay for 24 hours or less only because of mold and spoilage. Dried foods can stay for 2 or 3 days as long as you monitor it carefully.
Rotate food selection so that you crabs do not get bored and live a more natural scavenger type life. Always offer fresh fruits, veggies, meats and fish.


If you need any further information please contact A Home For Hermie Land Hermit Crab Rescue, Educational Division.
[e-mail]
Or visit our site as well at: http://www.geocities.com/hermitcrab_rescue/

Answer 2

There is something in the environment that it feels is threatening it. They stay in their shell if they feel threatened. Do you have any other pets? A cat or dog can look like a very vicious predator! Do you have anything like rocks in there? They may be too big. Provide a small rock cave and a pool of water for the hermit crab, and perhaps a plant or a branch. Keep it in a good-sized aquarium, NOT in the little container they give you at the pet store. That is a temporary container only!

Answer 3

It's a hermit crab, they rarely leave their shell. That's why when you know somebody who rarely leaves their home you call them a hermit because they don't leave like the hermit crab. Crabs only leave their shells to find a new shell. And if you have a hermit crab you've probably got it in a cage. It's got nothing better to do than sit around.

Answer 4

Your hermit crab doesn't like to be bother and he's not ready to move from his shell yet.

Answer 5

mabey its not even there?u sure its a hermit crab insted of a crab?!lol

Answer 6

its a hermit crab thats basically all it does, what do you want it to do, a juggling act

Answer 7

Hi. its probably ready 2 change shells and will come out eventually 2 change shells.

Answer 8

It is a HERMIT crab

Answer 9

He is suffering from severe depression. Take him to the nearest ER to get him evaluated.

Answer 10

hes dead or nothing... he's a hermit crab