Hermit crabs are nocturnal, so try not to be too disappointed if all your hermie does is sleep during the day. If you are wondering what goes on at night when you are asleep, this is usually the most active time for a land hermit crab. Many times, hermit crabs come out to eat and drink and bathe at night. If they are going to take part in recreational climbing, this is often the time that they will do it. Seeing that their natural habitats are hot, tropical environments, the day time is the best time for crabs to be dormant. The hottest hours of the day are just to hot to be moving around. Dehydration can quickly set in if they do not stay out of the sun and keep cool. This is usually when they sleep. During the evening hours, it begins to cool down a bit, so the crabs can be more comfortable doing their scavenging and socializing.

As with people, the routine of a hermit crab depends solely on the mood of the individual crab. Some wake and begin roaming around just sort of occupying themselves. Others go straight to the food and water in order to replenish and fuel up. Many people, since they never see their crabs eating, think that they are starving. This is most definitely not true. You can test whether your crab is eating either by smoothing the substrate around the food dish or smooth out the food in the dish. Watch for changes. Often, crabs eat very little at a time, so it might be a few days before you confirm that the crab is actually eating. But have no fear, your crab is most likely chowing down on the food you have set out for him or her.There will always be those crabs that, during the entire time they are awake they will try to find different ways to escape captivity. Many hermit crabs use this time at night to climb all over anything and everything that is available to it. Some people are amazed at seeing the changing in position of objects. You go to bed and your climbing log may be here and you wake up to it lying in a totally different place. Many times, hermit crabs will work together to get things in the position or location they want them in. Usually this object is a favorite item of the hermies.

As for climbing, always be careful about placement of your crabs’ toys. If a toy is near to the edge of an open tank, it will figure out how to get over the side. I personally had a hermit crab climb off and is STILL missing in action. It was one of the first crabs I purchased and I have little doubt about its fate. Sadly I could not find him and I’m certain tragedy has befallen him. On a lighter note, crab habitats usually come with lids. These lids need to be utilized. I learned this lesson the hard way. Also, if you want to take the lid off for a period of time, always keep toys and trinkets within the inside of the tank, instead of toward the outside.

Hermit crabs can be rewarding and enjoyable pets to house. They provide endless satisfaction and entertainment and can definitely be an addictive hobby. Collecting more as you become successful in providing environments for them is a great way to add buddies to your current hermit crab family. Enjoy your hermit crab friends and take great care of them.