also can they wear painted shells and how much sand or soil do i need to put in the jar.
2007-12-07 23:36:34 · 12 answers · asked by Apollo49 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
also can my hermit crab live inside a big rectagular plastic box about the length of 12 inchs and hieght of 5 inches. aslo can crayfish live in it
2007-12-08 01:18:21 · update #1
In the real sense, soil should work, but it has too many particles and humus that is not good for the crab (in fact it sees a lot of that in the ocean). If I were to use soil, I would wash it and remove all the dirt and humus off of it, but that takes a long time. Instead, I would walk over to the nearest kids playground and get some sand from there, wash it and use it.
Yes, you could paint it all you want :-)
Good luck with your hobby !
2007-12-07 23:49:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
When a hermit crab molts, it is just losing it's too small exoskeleton and will have a very soft body. Be sure NOT to pick it up after it molts because it will be really easy to tear the skin and it will die most likely. Also, be sure you have spare shells in the tank at all times to make sure it will have a new home available whenever. Just have shells that have an opening a little larger than the current one. Also, when it comes out of it's shell to move into a new home, just let it be until it moves in. Less stress on the animal, plus, you may inadvertently squeeze the soft body and injure it. As far as the substrate, what is it in now? I would definitely have gotten sand when I purchased the crab. The soil will be good only for a little while, like less than a week. My main fear is the soil has a habit of harboring mold and just gets funky quick!! Be sure to also have a shallow water dish that you can change out daily, and also use a good quality hermit crab food that use change out daily. Good luck!!
2016-05-22 03:37:43 · answer #2 · answered by janell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh No,no, no! Don't do that dear, they will die. Stop and think ,where do Hermit Crabs live,if they were out in the wild? They live at the beach! I have never been to the beach where there was soil instead of sand. You should try to make a home for them that is as close as possible to the one they were meant to be in. That would keep them happy and healthy too! I would put in quite a bit of sand,because they like to hide, and dig. I would also put some nice big rocks in ,so they can think they are right at home, and give them someplace to hide. As for the shells, they don't care what color they are, just if there is enough room for them to grow . When the crab looks bigger, remember to put in some new sea shells. A little larger then the one he is already in. You can get those at Michael's Art Supply stores,or even a hobby shop. As for the jar, why don't you find out how much those little plastic turtle terrariums cost. If not to much,he sure would be allot happier living in there.Good Luck,Byee
2007-12-07 23:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by Sandyspacecase 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hermit crabs are really wonderful little creatures.
Is this a store bought crab? If you found it on the beach, in the US, you need to put it back because you can not duplicate the habitat.
Do not try to replicate what the pet store does, 9 out of 10 stores are out for the almighty dollar and don't care a whit for the health of the crab.
You need an aquarium with a tight fitting lid to keep the humidity up, they must breathe very moist air to stay alive.
Sand, the depth to be at least twice as tall as your biggest crab. They is because they dig a hole to molt. Did you know that they can regrow lost limbs?
Hermit crabs are not loners, contrary to their name. they live in large groups. If you have 1, he needs a friend.
Painted shells are horrible. They force the crabs out of their natural shells and make them get into those painted ones, the paint can be toxic to the crab.
Join the Yahoo group, HermiesTalk and we will answer any questions you have.
2007-12-08 05:52:42 · answer #4 · answered by Nature Mother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soil--no. Too much organic material, will smell and stuff will start growing, fungus and odd plants. Painted shells, yes, but it embarrasses them. Use about 3 or 4 inches of sand-- crabs like to dig in and cover up when they are fixing to shed their exoskeleton, which happens every few weeks or months. don't bother them when they are doing this, just let them hide out until they shed the old "skin". 5 inches space above the sand is really shallow. Crabs love to climb and like having a stick or something to climb on.
2007-12-08 14:05:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sand course not the fine red sand used by builders.
paint the shell how you wish it is only a protective cover for the crab
2007-12-07 23:49:33 · answer #6 · answered by HaSiCiT Bust A Tie A1 TieBusters 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no!! soil is too moist and packed. sand is dry and grainy, more easily moved around. in soil the hermit crab may get stuck and die. :(
2007-12-07 23:38:55 · answer #7 · answered by Kiz M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Really...They wont die...Just sterilize the soil before using...Cook it for about 30mins in a pressure cooker...Well if your mom allows!!!!...Let it cool down and then use the soil... it depends on the soil too...Clay-ish soils are not so useful here as the particles adher after cooking...The Clay part hardens and makes a mess!...Use sandy soils instead...G'd luck...
2007-12-08 00:14:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
sand, yes paint the shell, at least 2 inches.
2007-12-07 23:39:21 · answer #9 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
would you want them to suffer?without their natural habitat they will die put them back where you found them...please..
2007-12-07 23:40:55 · answer #10 · answered by lazarlin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋