How to Care for Hermit Crabs

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Step 1: Prepare the housing
Prepare the crab's housing. Using a glass or plastic aquarium with a lid, recreate the crab's native tropical climate. Use a heater to keep the temperature between 70 and 80 degrees and the environment very moist -- no less than a 50 percent relative humidity.

Tip
If you are going to use an under-the-tank heater, you must use a glass aquarium to prevent melting.

Step 2: Choose a substrate
Choose a substrate for your crab's home. There are many to choose from, including sand, gravel, and river pebbles.

Step 3: Give your crab water
Give your crab clean, filtered water. Chlorine is harmful to hermit crabs, so use a process to remove the chlorine or purchase filtered water for your crab.

Step 4: Feed the crab
Feed your crab fruits and vegetables, unsalted popcorn, nuts, raisins, fresh fish, peanut butter, washed leaves and grass, or trail mix. Hermit crabs are omnivores, and like a diverse diet. You can also purchase commercial crab food.

Tip
Use seashells to hold the crab's food and water. Do not use metal or dishes that are big, wobbly, or shaky. Your crab could get trapped and drown in their water dish.

Step 5: Clean the tank
Clean the tank with a kitchen strainer to strain the crab's waste from the substrate. Some scientists think that crabs like their surroundings changed every now and again, so periodically give your crab's home a new look and sit back and enjoy your new friend.

Did You Know?
Crabs are invertebrates. Instead of a backbone, they have an exoskeleton or a carapace that provides support.