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Colour Variations in the C. variabilis (Australian Land Hermit Crab)
Coenobita variabilis, commonly known as the Australian land hermit crab, earns the name variabilis from its highly variable colouring. This unique species displays an impressive range of colours, making each individual truly distinctive. Colouration develops through a combination of genetics—passed down through generations of wild hermit crabs—and diet. Certain nutrients play a significant role in pigment development, with compounds such as anthocyanins and tannins contributi
thehappyhermie
Feb 242 min read
Thermometers & Hygrometers
It is essential to have a dependable thermometer and hygrometer in your tank. These instruments are crucial for monitoring the temperature and humidity levels, ensuring they remain within the appropriate parameters. Thermometers A wide variety of thermometers are available on the market, ranging from analog to digital models. Options include compact designs that are positioned outside the tank with a cord extending inside, as well as more sophisticated choices like Bluetooth
thehappyhermie
Jul 14, 20253 min read
Moving House With Hermit Crabs
Relocating can be quite stressful, and the complexity increases when pets, such as hermit crabs, are involved. A frequently asked question I encounter is, "How do I relocate with hermit crabs?" The reality is that it's simpler than it may appear. Although the process can be stressful for both you and your hermit crabs, it is certainly manageable. Typically, you will spend several weeks to months preparing your household items for a move, often starting with non-essential item
thehappyhermie
Jul 7, 20257 min read
Thermostats In Crabitats
Let's talk thermostats! Are they really needed? And why? A thermostat is an apparatus that independently manages temperature by activating a heating or cooling system when the temperature reaches a predetermined level. Why do we need thermostats? Hermit crabs residing in captivity throughout Australia are often situated outside their natural environments, which likely results in temperatures that differ from those they experience in the wild. Consequently, it is the responsib
thehappyhermie
Mar 25, 20254 min read
Stress In Hermit Crabs - Signs, Causes & Treatment
Stress is a real thing, and something all animals and humans experience. Even hermit crabs! However, in hermit crabs, stress can be lethal. Stress takes a huge toll on a hermit crabs' body and can cause all sorts of complications. Below we will cover the common signs of stress in hermit crabs. Signs - • Dropping shell and going naked • Dropping limbs • Lethargic • Loss of appetite • Inactive • Uncalled for aggression • Continually retracted inside shell • Not bathing or drink
thehappyhermie
May 16, 202412 min read
A Complete Beginners Guide To Owning Australian Hermit Crabs
Welcome to what I refer to as the "Crab Cult." Why this name? Because you will soon become captivated! Over the past 20 years, hermit crab ownership has evolved significantly, and we have gained extensive knowledge about the proper care of these creatures. Unfortunately, the hermit crab industry has not made similar strides in educating about proper husbandry. However, rest assured, our community has made significant progress in this area! In the following guide, we provide a
thehappyhermie
Jan 21, 202412 min read
What To AVOID When Buying Hermit Crab Supplies
For new owners, determining which items are safe when purchasing hermit crab supplies can be challenging. However, this blog provides comprehensive guidance to assist you. We will review commonly available items in pet stores and online that should be avoided at all costs. This not only helps you save money but could also potentially save the lives of your crabs. It is concerning to consider that items labeled as "for hermit crabs" might actually be unsafe. We expect the prod
thehappyhermie
Dec 23, 20235 min read
Why Did My Hermit Crab Die?
Hermit crabs may perish for various reasons. Occasionally, this is due to the environment we provide or errors we have made, while at other times, it may be entirely beyond our control. What Is the Lifespan of Hermit Crabs? In their natural habitat, hermit crabs can live for over 40 years. When kept in captivity, they have the potential to live for more than 15 years. Therefore, if a hermit crab's lifespan is only a few months or a year in captivity, it indicates that there m
thehappyhermie
Dec 12, 20237 min read
Why We DON'T Dig Up Hermit Crabs!
It's a common concern we all face. When your crab has been buried for an extended period, it's natural to feel anxious about their well-being. Is it appropriate to uncover them to check on their condition? Rest assured, we have all experienced this situation. Even seasoned owners feel anxious when their crabs haven't been visible for an extended period. It's natural to be concerned about what we cannot see, the unknown. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why you should
thehappyhermie
Nov 29, 20234 min read
Common Hermit Crab Myths
Let's break open some of the biggest Hermit Crab related myths spread around the Hermit Crab community! I'm sure you've heard or read...
thehappyhermie
Oct 26, 202311 min read
Shopping at Pet Stores - A Helpful Guide
When you go to the local pet store for supplies, you probably go straight to the Hermit Crab section. Stop. And slowly back away. Almost everything in the Hermit Crab section is not appropriate. Below, we will guide you on where to find useful items that are NOT located in the Hermit Crab section of your local pet store. That's right, stretch those legs and continue down to the fish aisle, reptile aisle and even small animal and bird aisle! Because you're about to hit the jac
thehappyhermie
Oct 18, 20233 min read
30 Interesting Hermit Crab Facts
•Hermit Crabs Pee! Yes! Strangely enough, they pee through their antennae glands close to the eyes. You may never actually see this happen though as it is very minimal and very small. •Hermit Crabs don't have ears No, they do not have ears. They hear by sensing vibrations through their antennae's, legs and sensory hairs. •Hermit Crabs can change their gender Yes, it is true, a Hermit Crab can change their gender during a moult. Changing from male to female and back again. It
thehappyhermie
Sep 25, 20236 min read
50 Hermit Crab FAQ's
Determining Appropriate Duration in the Pool There is no specific time limit for how long your crab can stay in the pool. As long as there is a safe means for them to enter and exit, they will leave when they are ready. If there is no way out and you find a hermit crab in the pool, remove it and provide a climbing object to facilitate their exit. If you discover a shell-less crab in the pool, remove it immediately and adhere to the protocol for handling naked crabs. Has My He
thehappyhermie
Sep 19, 202311 min read
Hermit Crab Glossary - Understanding The Lingo
If you are a member of online Hermit Crab forums, Facebook groups or read crab care blogs online, you may come across some words related to the hermie world that you may not understand the exact meaning of. Perhaps an experienced owner is talking about something using the hermie lingo, maybe you are too shy or embarrassed to ask what they mean. That's cool, we got you! Below we go over some of the most commonly used terms and shortened abbreviations for commonly used words in
thehappyhermie
Sep 11, 20239 min read
The Harsh Truth Behind The Hermit Crab Pet Store Trade
This article will be a hard one to read, but we truly believe owners have a right to know the truth behind the Hermit Crab trade in Australia. Please note - This blog comes with a trigger warning for information on animal abuse, and photos containing animal abuse. Every single Hermit Crab that is owned in Australia (even the ones in your tank right now) were plucked from the wild, tortured and sent to pet stores all over Australia. The only crabs in captivity within Australia
thehappyhermie
Aug 17, 20236 min read
Bringing Home A New Hermit Crab
Congratulations on your new Hermit Crab! What an exciting time. Below we will talk about what you should do when you are bringing home a brand-new crab, whether it's your first ever Hermit Crab or you are a seasoned owner and introducing a new member to your colony. As exciting as this is for you, it is an incredibly stressful time for your new crab. If you purchased your crab from a pet store, it has recently been taken from its home in the wild and sent to the pet store. So
thehappyhermie
Aug 9, 20236 min read
Hermit Crabs - The Hands Off Pet
Let's face it, whatever the pet store told you about Hermit Crabs being an easy, playful pet that you can take out of the tank and play with anywhere... forget about it. Think of your Hermit Crab as a pet fish, you don't take the fish outside to play, or have a cuddle on the couch. Why? Because your fish can't breathe out of water. The same goes for Hermit Crabs, they cannot breathe outside of the tank with low humidity levels. At the end of the day, every single Captive Herm
thehappyhermie
Aug 7, 20234 min read
Keeping Hermit Crabs in Winter
Wild hermit crabs are indigenous to warm, humid, and tropical habitats in various regions of Australia. Regrettably, in the year 2023, an alarming number exceeding 30,000 wild hermit crabs are being captured annually and commercialized to pet stores throughout Australia. As a result, a significant portion of the hermit crabs captured in the wild and subsequently sold are destined for households located in regions known for their cold climates. As owners, it is imperative that
thehappyhermie
Jun 28, 20234 min read
Is my Hermit Crab a Boy or a Girl?
One may have pondered the gender of their hermit crab, seeking clarity on whether it is a male or female. Determining the gender of your hermit crab can be achieved through two reliable methods. The gonopores and pleopods are both characteristic features of the female hermit crab. Female crustaceans possess Gonopores, which are their female sex organs situated beneath the third set of walking legs. These Gonopores are visible as small round circles, with one located on each s
thehappyhermie
Jun 12, 20232 min read
The Australian Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita Variabilis)
The Australian Land hermit crabs (Coenobita Variabilis) are a species of terrestrial hermit crabs indigenous to Australia. They are nocturnal omnivores, thriving in tropical regions in close proximity to water bodies. These specimens exhibit a range of sizes and appearances, spanning from a pale sandy hue to reddish tones and varying in dimensions from that of a thumb nail to a tennis ball. As Arthropods, hermit crabs undergo molting as a necessary process for their growth. T
thehappyhermie
Jun 9, 20232 min read