My 12 year old son purchased a hermit crab and it died a day after the warranty expired. I talked to some friends and they all said their hermit crabs died as well shortly after they bought them. Now also he is the cage and dead and i seem to not be able to bring myself to get him out and put him away.....any suggestions??
2007-01-25 06:45:30 · 7 answers · asked by Kristi A 4 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Well atleast im not a killer, lol......
2007-01-25 06:59:13 · update #1
Wow Betty thats a great answer!!
2007-01-25 07:15:49 · update #2
By the time a hermit crab reaches the store it has been very badly treated. The fact that others who purchased their crabs from the same store had the same problem as you makes it likely that the store or the store's supplier is at fault.
Hermit crabs require a specific temperature range, humidity, water and food. While the food is usually provided the others are often lacking. A sponge is not acceptable as a source of drinking water. Sponges are usually used to try and increase humidity. Humidity must be between 60 and 80% for the crab to be able to breath. Unlike mammals, hermit crabs have modified gills. If the humidity is too low the crab will slowly suffocate. Temperature needs to be between 65 and 85. In the winter that means that the crabs should be shipped with a heat pack. Few suppliers bother to do so.
When selecting a hermit crab make sure that it is active and does not just hide in it's shell. It should have all it's limbs, 2 claws and 4 legs. Do not pick a crab based on it's decorated shell as these shells are bad for the crabs and alternate shells should be offered as soon as possible.
The links below will give you more information about hermit crab care.
2007-01-25 07:11:01 · answer #1 · answered by Betty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hermit crabs need heat high 70'F low 80'F & moisture of 70% to 80% monotered with a thermometer & humidity gauge. They must be kept a glass tank with either sand or coconut fiber or some of each. 10 gallon tank is about $10.They need a heat bulb I use a 60w red bulb in a 5 1/2" clamp lamp for my 10 gallon tank and it keeps my tank at the perfect temp.& moisture level with a mist of water every couple of days to keep the moisture right. You need a lid for you tank use a metal one so it will take the heat for the heat lamp when it's set on top. To hold the moisture in I use Glad press n' seal it takes the heat and doesn't melt cover only the side where the light isn't. They need a hot and a cool side of the tank.They also need fresh &(hermit crab) salt water. Hope this helps!! Check the web for hermit crab care.
2007-01-25 12:33:19 · answer #2 · answered by brneyedgirl70 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fact that you mention that he is in a cage and you didn't say tank, says a lot. they need a humidity level in the 70s and heat in the 70-80s. You can't get that in a cage, you need a tank with an under tank heater and a glass top to hold in humidity. A lot of these poor things die because of poor collecting practices, shipping practices, and poor conditions in the store. If you bought one in a decorated shell, that is the last thing that a hermit crab wants to be in so he will leave the shell looking for a more natural one that will enable it to camoflage itself in nature. Sometimes they will leave the shell even when a new shell is not available so it leaves them vulnerable and exposed and they will die soon after. Whenever I buy a new hermie I will take it home and soak it in a bowl of warmish water for a minute or 2. Often they are dehydrated and they have modified gills that need to be kept moist, they can only do that with a storage of water in the shell.
2007-01-26 14:00:55 · answer #3 · answered by Dale d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes a hermit crab that's molting will appear dead. You need to check and make sure that what looks like a dead crab isn't just the shed skin. They will generally just lay there inactive for a couple of days both before and after molting. They will hide inside their shells and push their skin out. If you only see legs and what-not lying around, this might be the case, but it's truly dead if the tail comes out too, as the tail is the only part of their body with no skin to shed.
2007-01-26 07:02:01 · answer #4 · answered by k54321w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hermit crabs require a lot more care then people realize. You should research an animals needs completely before buying it. Not properly caring for an animal is abuse.
2007-01-25 06:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by imakillerkiller 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ur doing alot right! But hermit crabs r kinda like schooling animals thwy love to be in groups in the wold they live in clans that # up to 100+ so depending how big ur tank is u might want to get a few more ... i had 8 in a ten gallon fish aqurim and they live a health life if about two years i had my tank heated and everything ... i didnt do the salt water baths but mine didnt appeard to eat much eaither the best food i foud is like little brown stick pelets idk what thwy r called but they worked good .... they love to climb so i had coral in my tank .. also u definatly need a sponge in their water bowl (u didnt have one listed makeing auree u knew)
2016-03-29 02:20:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my lil sis had hermit crabs to and they died but that was because they didn't have the right water in the cage and i yelled at her for it umm you could always try using something to pick it up with if you don't do something with it it is gonna stink pretty soon
2007-01-25 07:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by ohhs_chick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋