3 Responses

1. lilgreenpea1 Says:
   November 7th, 2009 at 6:40 am

   Here is an article about hermit crab care. Hope it helps.

2. Crazy_CowGirl Says:
   November 9th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

   no hermet crabs do not need salt water they need fresh wate in a bowl in their tank and they are fed hermet crab pelets (you can find these at a pet store like petco or petSmart) their tank should be bedded with special hermet gravel that you can find at a pet store they may need a heating lamp depending on the temperature in your house (ask the pet store) you will also need to get empty shells a size bigger than the hermets themselvs the crab will grow but the shells will not so they need another home to move into (this is very fun to watch)

3. hermit_crabs Says:
   November 10th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

   Hermit Crabs can die from the stress of transport, especially if the vendor ships them in low temperatures or with poor packaging that allows the crabs to become damaged. Many online suppliers do not use same day or overnight postage and your hermit crabs could spend several days travelling to get to you. Then there are the occasions where items go missing or delivery is delayed. Many courier companies and mail services will not accept live animals for postage. I would insist that the vendor place a ‘live animal’ and ‘fragile’ sticker on the package and that you insist on same day or overnight shipping at the very least. In many cases it is the case that in a shipment of three crabs one or more will perish. Reputable vendors do not ship during winter or cooler months or if they do will pay the extra money for heat packs so that the hermit crabs do not freeze during the journey. In many cases it is best to ask for help of others in your area for locations nearby which sell hermit crabs that are healthy or ask them to order them in for you. Many times they will order from a nearby or not too distant supplier thus limiting the amount of stress the hermit crabs will go through and they will be delivered with other fragile items thus improvement in handling procedures.

   FedEx is one method with which online retailers ship hermit crabs. It can be expensive.

   FedEx Express Terms and Conditions
   Live Animals
   526.6 Small, Harmless, Cold-Blooded Animals
   Small, harmless, cold-blooded animals, except for snakes, turtles, and turtle eggs, are mailable only when they meet certain requirements. For some examples, see Exhibit 526.6.
   Exhibit 526.6
   Requirements for Mailing Small, Harmless, Cold-Blooded Animals
   (Except Snakes, Turtles, and Turtle Eggs)

   General Requirements:
   All animals in this group:
   * Must be able to reach their destination in good condition in the normal transit time between the mailing and address points.
   * Must not require any food, water, or attention during transport.
   * Must not create sanitary problems.
   Must not create obnoxious odors.
   * No additional requirements other than the applicable standards in DMM C022.
   * Packaging must comply with DMM C022.3.10.
   * Primary receptacle must be cushioned with sufficient absorbent material to take up all liquid in case of leakage.
   * Primary receptacle and absorbent cushioning material must be sealed within a waterproof outer (shipping) packaging.

   Your other question was with regard to saltwater. Yes, hermit crabs do need access to saltwater in addition to the fresh (de-chlorinated) water. Most people do not have access to a source of clean saltwater and instead use synthetic sea or ocean water such as available for salt water tanks. Instant Ocean, TropicMarin and other brands are freely available in pet stores and your local fish store. DO NOT use table salt.

   For more information please visit

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