The search for information about hermit crabs and their habitat has become a quite popular one. Hermit crabs have been popular pets for several years. They can be commonly found for purchase in pet stores all over the United States. And what’s not to love? You can watch as your pet carries his home on his back from place to place, climbs on things, and switches from shell to shell. When your hermit crab is cared for properly, it can live for years. Proper hermit crab care cannot be overlooked if you desire a happy crab.

Land Hermit Crab Information

Hermit crabs are naturally found in tropical regions on coasts, such as those in Southern Florida and land masses of the Caribbean. The majority of these hermit crabs live in the sea, but some have adapted to live on land. Land hermit crabs are popular pets. Marine hermit crabs, those who live underwater, are popular pets as well. The difference between the two is that while land hermit crabs have gills, their gills are much smaller than marine crabs, so they also need air. They must be kept moist to survive, but would drown if submerged completely in water. If these gills are allowed to become dry, the crab will die. Hermit crabs carry an extra supply of water; however, they still need to live in cool, shady places. 

Previously mentioned was the fact that the hermit crab carries his shell on his back. This borrowed “home” provides shelter and protection from predators in the wild. Like many shell-wearing animals, when the crab feels threatened, it pulls into its shell to hide. Inside its shell, a hermit crab’s body is made up of two main parts. One part, the cephalothorax, is made of a combination of the head and thorax. The other part is the crab’s abdomen. On its head are the eyes, on stalks, two sets of antennae, and a mouth. The thorax contains five sets of legs. Two pairs of these legs are legs used for walking; walking legs. Two sets are used to hang onto and stay inside the shell. The final set of legs is the two legs in front, containing the claws. One of these claws is larger than the other because the large claw is used as a door to protect the crab inside the shell. The smaller claw is used to eat by carrying pieces of food to its mouth. 

Some hermit crab facts are very important to remember, such as on the outside of the land hermit crab is an exoskeleton to protect it. The crab must shed this exoskeleton in order to grow. This is called molting. To molt the crab will usually burrow down into the sand, making for itself a safe place. The exoskeleton cracks and the crab moves out of it. The crab stays hidden until the new, soft exoskeleton hardens.

Molting is a process that occurs throughout a crab’s lifetime. Younger crabs will molt many times a year, but an adult crab may molt once every twelve to eighteen months.

Once the hermit crab molts, it is larger. Many times a crab will look for a bigger shell; for a more comfortable fit. If the new shell fits properly, the crab will abandon the old shell to make a new home.