Coconut Crabs & Land Hermit Crabs: Care, Natural History, New Info

[findiviglio]

Hi All,
People are often surprised to learn that Land or Terrestrial Hermit Crabs engage in complex social behaviors, are capable of communicating via “chirps” and, with proper care, may live for over 20 years. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them at home, in zoos and the wild, and have even kept the massive, awe-inspiring Coconut Crab. Please read on to learn about their care and natural history, and be sure to post your own thoughts and experiences. Read article here: Land Hermit Crabs and Coconut Crabs (the world
Comments and questions appreciated. As I do not place notices here each time I post a new article on That Reptile Blog, you may wish to check in periodically or subscribe; you can do so here That Reptile Blog. Please also check out my posts on Twitter Twitter.

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog
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[Hoppity100]

Oh, good, another hermit crab lover! I've had them for years and have 4 now. They're so darn easy to care for and I like giving them people food like boiled chicken, veggies, fruit, coconut, oatmeal, lettuce, dry cereal, popcorn, peanut butter. I have sand in the bottom and made a playground with pieces of cholla wood and fake plants. They spend most of their time in this area and I have an arched reptile type house they hide in. I also have extra larger shells. I keep their environment somewhat humid and they're more active this way. Their water is spring water, never tap water. I also have commercial crab food.

Once in a while our stores might have a green hermit (legs are avocado color) and these are rare here. They are mostly dark purple and red in 3 stores I shop in. Mine are all about the same size: ping pong ball. Do you have an aquarium with hermits like I do? If so, how many years have you owned them? What is your set up like?

[findiviglio]

Hi, Thanks for the feedback. I've kept them for years at home as you describe, but lately have mainly set them up in zoo exhibits, in conjunction with my work. They get along fine on a wide variety of substrates and, as you mention, foods. They especially like raiding tortoise salads, and also consume leaf litter with gusto. As mentioned in the article, I always keep a shallow bowl of marine water as well...they will live for years w/o this, but over time a lack of salt and other minerals will impact their health. Please keep me posted, enjoy, Frank

[Hoppity100]

Thanks for writing back. Which vitamins do you recommend? And salt? Calcium, too? Thanks again, Nancy

[findiviglio]

Hi, My pleasure.

Please see "Feeding" in the article. There are links fish flakes and cuttlebone (which provide impt vitamins/minerals and to a salt mix that can be added to their water (provide fresh water as well). Please let me know if you need more info, best, Frank

[Hoppity100]

Thank you and I will let you know. I will check out the feeding article, too. Mine always have fresh spring water, never from tap with chlorine. Wish stores would tell customers this, too. I knew because I read about it first. But, thanks!

[findiviglio]

Thanks, enjoy and good luck, best, Frank

[Hoppity100]

Thanks, I will! Take care, Nancy

[deranged chipmunk]

hey Frank. thanks for posting the link to your blog. i was unaware you had an active blog. i bookmarked it to read later. something has to keep me busy at work thanks again

[findiviglio]

Thanks, Bill.

I have several hundred articles posted, and get email notices of new comments for all; search engine isn;t always accurate (others manage it for me) so let me now if you have ever have any specific needs/interests and I'll send links, best, Franjk

[deranged chipmunk]

wow....i am sure that is a LOT of emails....lol have you written anything about Mantellas? i am building a home for either M. Betsileo or M. Baroni. and while i have read quite extensively about both species, more information is always appreciated. anything i can do to make a better home for them.

[findiviglio]

Hi Bill,

Yes, Thousands of comments over the years, but I've been focusing on writing articles and books since retiring from the Bx Zoo and I enjoy the work. Not too much on Mantells, need to get to that; one of the articles is a short Mantella overview; mentions an interesting fact re betsileo/. Other is on poison frogs, but many of the considerations, esp. the notes re providing a varied diet, apply. Good luck with the project, let me know how it goes, Best, Frank

[deranged chipmunk]

thank you very much Frank. i appreciate it i'll keep you updated

[KittyKat90]

The Green/Avocado colored ones are called Ecuadorian's... I use to have one named Mighty Moe that I loved to pieces! He was tinier then my pinky but had the biggest personality. I sadly lost him to a molt gone wrong about a year ago. I currently don't have any but would love some in the future! HERMIT-CRABS.COM.... That website helped me out alot with naming my species of Hermit! I Hope it's useful

[Hoppity100]

I had the same experience and the green crabs I had were my favorite kind. Our stores don't always have them. They don't seem as hearty as the common purple pincher type. I have 4 purple crabs now, had them for years. They sure don't grow fast which surprises me because mine get people food with crab food. I have bigger shells they won't go in but play with. They are the easiest pet I've ever had. Mine are in a tank with humidity, especially in the winter. Thanks for the website you sent. I will check it out.