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Common Hermit Crab Shell Identification
Common Name - Babylonia CLASS: Gastropoda FAMILY: Babyloniidae GENUS: Babylonia SPECIES: Babylonia Zeylanica, Babylonia Spirata, Babylonia Areolata, Babylonia Zeylanica White, Babylonia Spirata White SHELL OPENING: Oval WEIGHT: Medium SIZING: Small - Large A widely favored gastropod shell, this type is highly sought after for captive hermit crabs. Known for its sturdy construction without being overly heavy for the crab, it is an excellent choice for owners seeking natural sh
thehappyhermie
Mar 13, 20254 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
How To Measure Shells For Your Hermit Crabs
Few individuals are aware of the critical importance of providing appropriately sized shells for their hermit crabs. Many owners tend to acquire an assortment of shells, place them in the tank, and rely on chance. Captive crabs often do not behave in that manner. Some can be highly selective about the shells they choose for habitation. Providing appropriately sized shells for each of your crabs is crucial. An oversized shell can impede their mobility within the tank, while an
thehappyhermie
Dec 11, 20234 min read
Painted Shells - Not So Pretty After All
Painted hermit crab shells not only represent an inefficient use of natural resources but also pose significant toxicity and safety risks for your hermit crabs. Painting hermit crab shells serves a singular purpose: to attract children to purchase them. Vibrant pinks, purples, blues, gold, and novelty characters are all designed to appeal to young audiences. One of the most effective marketing strategies is the use of color. Have you noticed how, in a supermarket, your attent
thehappyhermie
Nov 30, 20233 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
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 6, 20234 min read
Hermit Crab Shell Guide
Hermit Crabs rely heavily on a safe shell to use as their home; a shell will protect them from predators, injury to their abdomen and organs and keeps their soft abdomen moist and protected. In fact, a Hermit Crabs shell is so vitally important, that without it, they will die within a matter of days. Failure to find a shell, severely increases the chances of being attacked by predators, and having their soft abdomen dry out. Land Hermit Crabs cannot make their own shell; ther
thehappyhermie
Aug 4, 20236 min read
Setting Up Pools - A Complete Guide
Pools in a Hermit Crab Tank are extremely important, just as important as having the correct substrate. Not setting up your pools correctly can have dire consequences on your crab's health and tank conditions. When setup right, it will aid in your humidity levels and your Hermit Crabs overall health. As daunting as it may sound, they are very easy to setup, and you can even set up oxygenated pools with bubblers or filters. So why are pools so important? Hermit Crabs need both
thehappyhermie
Jul 29, 20235 min read
Hermit Crab Behaviour
It is fascinating to note that every hermit crab possesses a unique personality. Some may exhibit shyness, while others are more outgoing, and there are those that prefer solitude. These crustaceans are observed to display a variety of behaviors and personalities, whether in their natural habitat or under captivity. In the following section, we will delve into the nature of these behaviors and their significance. Shyness and Hiding Some captive hermit crabs exhibit timid beha
thehappyhermie
Jul 21, 20236 min read
Setting Up A Successful Hermit Crab Tank
The secret to keeping Hermit Crabs happy and healthy, is all based on the way you set up and keep your tank. It is crucial to set up your tank correctly from the very beginning to give your crabs the best chance at having a good life in captivity. But what if you have already invested in those expensive Krabooz items or that tiny 20L fish tank? Don't worry, you can still fix it and get your crabbies life back on track and thriving in no time! The cheapest way to set up your t
thehappyhermie
Jul 16, 20239 min read
Surface Moulting - A Hermit Crab Emergency
The moulting process of a hermit crab is a sensitive procedure that ideally occurs completely below the substrate. Regrettably, this is not always the situation, and occasionally, your hermit crab may moult above the surface. This situation requires immediate attention as it could potentially be a life-threatening emergency if not addressed promptly. As Arthropods, hermit crabs undergo molting as a necessary process for growth. For detailed information on hermit crab molting,
thehappyhermie
Jul 13, 20234 min read
Hermit Crab Moulting - What To Know
Australian land hermit crabs belong to the category of Arthropods, requiring periodic moulting of their exoskeleton to facilitate growth. During moulting, a hermit crab sheds its tough exoskeleton, which should not be mistaken for its shell. The exoskeleton refers to the rigid skin covering the hermit crab's body. Unlike mammals, hermit crabs do not have bones; instead, their bodies consist of soft tissues shielded by the hard exoskeleton. During the moulting process, hermit
thehappyhermie
Jul 12, 20234 min read
Naked Hermit Crab - What To Do!
The absence of a shell on a hermit crab is always a concerning indication. This behavior typically occurs when hermit crabs experience significant stress or unfavorable environmental conditions, leading them to shed their shells. Factors Contributing to Hermit Crabs Shedding Their Shells Physical Stress: Inappropriate overhandling, poor tank conditions, a stressful environment, stressful travel, or inadequate conditions in the pet store can lead to physical stress in hermit
thehappyhermie
Jul 5, 20233 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