How to Set up a Hermit Crab Habitat
Having pets at home require you to take special care of them, just like any other member of your family. You should realise that all animals prefer to have a natural environment to thrive properly and stay healthy. This requires you to make a natural habitat for your pets, providing them comfort and protection from predators at the same time. Most people think hermit crabs to be low maintenance pets but a little effort from you can provide them excellent conditions for thriving. Making a habitat for your hermit crab can be a fun-filled activity and extremely comforting for your pet as well.
Things Required:
– Aquarium
– Other crabs
– Substrate
– Sea shells and rocks
Instructions
-
1
An aquarium with a lid will be ideal for making a habitat for your hermit crab, as they prefer to have decent space. Also remember that hermit crabs thrive best in groups and you should buy a couple of more crabs to fill in the aquarium. Ensure you purchase an aquarium which can accommodate three or more crabs, providing sufficient space for their movement.
-
2
Make appropriate sand bedding at the bottom of the aquarium. Lay down a layer of more than three inches of sand and gravel at the floor of your aquarium.
-
3
You also need to keep appropriate humidity and temperature level within your aquarium. Modern day aquariums have such features and you can adjust the internal conditions easily. Make sure the humidity is at least 70 percent, while the temperature of your aquarium remains between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Humid conditions prevent the dehydration and keep the grills moist, making the molting process easier.
-
4
Next comes the food and water you have to provide to your hermit crabs. You should place one dish filled with food and two dishes filled with water. Crabs can have a wide variety of food and it won’t be a problem for you to arrange for their special diet. Packaged hermit crab food is available in the market but hermit crabs can even eat non-acidic foods, such as coconut or papaya.
-
5
Place non-chlorinated water in one dish, while add salt water in the other dish for your crabs.
-
6
Put some large sea shells and rocks inside the aquarium for your hermit crabs to hide, grow and play along.