We recommend the Caribbean hermit crab for beginner keepers. This is one of the most popular species in the pet trade, and are great for beginners due to their hardiness and reasonable size. Hermit crabs need plenty of space to explore, so, for beginners, the smaller the better.
Hermit crabs are not picky eaters; they’re both omnivores and detrivores, willing to eat a wide selection of foods. Though dietary needs can differ depending on the species, a balanced diet of vegetables, calcium, and proteins is generally advised. While commercial crab food is a convenient option, it’s better to complement this with an assortment of natural foods if you’re going to use it. For protein, consider adding dried shrimp, various meats, or insects to their diet. To meet their calcium needs, you can offer cuttlebone or even crushed egg shells.
It’s time to transition your new hermit crabs from their travel enclosures to their permanent home. Make sure everything in their new setup is ready to go; you’ll want to move them in quickly. Open the transit containers in a space where they can’t escape. Once you’ve safely unboxed them, coax them gently into their new surroundings. Offer a small amount of food to help them feel at home and allow them some time to relax and acclimate to their new environment in peace.
Hermit crabs are relatively easy to care for and require a habitat that offers both land and water areas. For the substrate, a blend of 5 part sand, 5 parts coco-fibre works well to keep these critters happy. The substrate must be at least 3x as deep as the height of your largest hermit crab, so they can safely burrow underneath to molt. We recommend a large fish tank or large glass or metal mesh terrarium equipped with a deep dish or plastic pool for bathing. It’s essential to include hiding spots and climbing spots, such as coconut hides and pieces of wood in their enclosure for them to retreat to. Regular water changes are also key to keeping the environment clean and your hermit crabs healthy. They’ll need both a freshwater and salt water pool, as the fresh water allows them to drink, the salt water allows them to breathe. As intelligent, social animals, they’ll need to be kept in groups of at least 3.
Hermit crabs are some of the most interesting pets available in the invertebrate pet trade. They’re highly intelligent, and interact with their environment in ways unseen by other animals in our store. They love to climb, explore, and even use hamster wheels, showing a level of “enjoyment” usually only found in higher animals. Hermit crabs belong to the order “Decapoda”, with members of this order being recently recognised by the UK government as sentient beings. All in all, we highly recommend them as pets.
Yes, in fact, hermit crabs must be kept together. They’ll need to be kept in groups of three or more, the more the merrier. You can mix and match most species, however, each species will need at least 2 other same-species friends. Hermits are social animals, and they thrive with companionship. We reserve the right to refund orders of hermit crabs if we suspect the animal will be travelling to a home without friends.
Yes, it’s safe to buy hermit crabs from us. We ship exclusively within the UK via ‘Royal Mail Next-Day Before 1pm Guaranteed’ service, ensuring your pets spend only minimal time in transit. We’ll send out a shipping confirmation email when they’re on the way. If there are any issues and your animals arrive ill or deceased, we offer refunds for injuries and illnesses within a 7 day window after arrival.*
