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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
Tank Heat - Tips, Tricks & Why It Is So Important!
In their natural habitat, Hermit Crabs reside in warm climates within Australia, with temperatures ranging from the high 20s to low 30s Celsius. To ensure their well-being and vitality in captivity, it is essential to provide them with an environment that meets their thermal requirements. These crabs rely on an appropriate environment to regulate their body temperature effectively. A temperature range of 27-32°C is ideal for Australian Hermit Crabs in captivity. This range m
thehappyhermie
Sep 7, 20236 min read
Hermit Crabs & Natural Disasters
Bush fires, hurricanes, tornados, floods, power outages... these are all natural disasters that may affect you, your home and your Hermit Crabs. We often have evacuation plans in place for ourselves, our families and our pets, but have you ever thought of the evacuation plan of your Hermit Crabs? Preparation is key. Having a plan in place and an emergency evacuation kit ready to go will help make the process much easier if it ever should come to it. This is especially importa
thehappyhermie
Aug 27, 20234 min read
Humidity - Tips, Tricks & Why It Is So Important!
In the wild, Hermit Crabs live in hot and humid environments. Heat and humidity are vitally important in a Hermit Crab tank and can be the difference between life and death. Why is humidity so important? Land Hermit Crabs don't have lungs, instead, they have modified gills. Allowing them to breathe on land. To do this, they absorb oxygen through their gills. To absorb oxygen, they need high levels of humidity. A lack of humidity will essentially dry out their gills, causing
thehappyhermie
Aug 23, 20236 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
Hermit Crab Emergencies - Flooding & Bug Infestation
As strange as it sounds, there are situations within a Hermit Crab Tank that are classified as emergencies. And when we say emergencies, we mean they can and will lead to the death of your Hermit Crabs! The 2 biggest emergencies that can happen within your tank are floods and bug infestations. Both situations should be dealt with immediately. Flooding When we say flooding, we don't mean your entire tank is swimming in water. When a flood occurs in a Hermit Crab tank, majorit
thehappyhermie
Aug 16, 20239 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
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 30, 20235 min read
Hermit Crab Nutrition
Nutrition is a vitally important part of keeping captive Hermit Crabs happy, healthy and thriving. It's all well and good to understand what crabs can and can't eat, but knowing why they need it and what portions they need is even more important. Being Omnivores, Hermit Crabs will eat meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, seafoods, wood, leaves, flowers etc. Hermit Crabs need a varied diet daily to cover all of their nutritional needs, if they are lacking in a certain area,
thehappyhermie
Jul 24, 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 22, 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 17, 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
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 6, 20233 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
Hermit Crabs - Safe and Unsafe Foods
Hermit crabs are innate scavengers and will consume a wide variety of items; however, certain foods are not safe for them. Presented below is a list of foods that are safe and unsafe for feeding your hermit crabs. If a specific food is not mentioned here and you are uncertain about its suitability, please consult the LHCOS recommended food database available below - written by and belonging to Crab Street Journal. CSJ’s Ultimate Guide to Feeding Your Hermit Crabs | The Crab S
thehappyhermie
Jun 16, 20235 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