50 Hermit Crabs?

Colby and the Dwarfs · 05-20-2014, 12:47 PM

So I found a place that will bring you 50 hermit crabs. You pick sizes. Wouldn't that be fun? Omgosh, what would you keep them in? A kiddie pool, I guess. That would be awesome. I've had hermits before, they're so popular here. Anyway, wouldn't that be cool?

Obviously I'll only even consider a hermit crab colony if I find I have an extra kiddie pool lying around... Obviously I'd need to give some away and keep 30 or so. I know I could; the pet stores can't keep em in stock here so I could give them away easily. They don't breed in captivity, so that's good!

Surprisingly enough, people don't really mistreat hermit crabs much here. People keep them in 10 gallon tanks mostly, usually pairs. That not too bad considering in most places a "small Kritter Keeper is the best cage for 10 or 15 hermit crabs!". So if I found myself overwhelmed I could always let my friend show a few in her petstore.

Meh, I don't know. Last year I took in 16 baby turtles at one time, this reminds me of that, lol. Anybody keep hermit crabs?

NiceCrocs · 05-20-2014, 12:58 PM

My sister keeps hermit crabs, she has 20 at the moment. XD they're surprisingly delicate, and need a really specific temperature and humidity to really thrive. And even though they're social, fights to the death can break out with no warning, especially if one or more crabs is molting.

That said , they're awesome little critters if you can devote the energy and money to creating and sustaining a habitat.

StarlightSerenity · 05-20-2014, 12:58 PM

If they don't breed in captivity does that mean that all ones kept by people are taken from the wild...?

NiceCrocs · 05-20-2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

If they don't breed in captivity does that mean that all ones kept by people are taken from the wild...?

Most of them are, yes.

**Hamsterz4Life** · 05-20-2014, 01:11 PM

If they are taken from the wild, then I think the best think to do as an animal lover is to put them back in the wild. I don't know anything about Hermit Crabs though, so I may be talking baloney.. x

Colby and the Dwarfs · 05-20-2014, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceCrocs

My sister keeps hermit crabs, she has 20 at the moment. XD they're surprisingly delicate, and need a really specific temperature and humidity to really thrive. And even though they're social, fights to the death can break out with no warning, especially if one or more crabs is molting.

That said , they're awesome little critters if you can devote the energy and money to creating and sustaining a habitat.

Yes, I remember my crabs killing a smaller one when he was molting

. I kept seven at one time, they were beautiful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

If they don't breed in captivity does that mean that all ones kept by people are taken from the wild...?

:/

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceCrocs

Most of them are, yes.

:/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamsterz4Life

If they are taken from the wild, then I think the best think to do as an animal lover is to put them back in the wild. I don't know anything about Hermit Crabs though, so I may be talking baloney.. x

I always heard that they're the type of animals that adapt very well to captivity, like snails and such. Is this not true?

StarlightSerenity · 05-20-2014, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiceCrocs

Most of them are, yes.

not nice

NiceCrocs · 05-20-2014, 01:27 PM

They do adapt well to captivity, and many do BETTER in fact, assuming they have an owner who knows what they're doing. If I recall correctly they're actually considered a pest in their native countries, so they're apt to be killed anyway

I'll fact check all this, when I get a chance to talk to my sister, :/ sorry if this ends up completely wrong, but I'll let everyone know.

**Hamsterz4Life** · 05-20-2014, 01:30 PM

In the world today, animals in the wild are slowly reducing. If they can be bred in captivity, then that is great. But they should not have to adapt, like somebody said earlier they are hard to be kept in captivity as they require very specific conditions, because they are meant to be in the wild... I would not want to be taken from my home! Come on Colby.. you have a million and one pets! Having said that.. Colby, you are a fantastic pet owner and I have full confidence that they would have a good life with you. x

Note: This is on the understanding of the above posts, I know next to nothing about hermit crabs.

NiceCrocs · 05-20-2014, 01:41 PM

Talked to my sister, she confirmed that most pet hermit crabs are taken directly from the wild. There's have been attempts to breed domestic hermit crabs, but only a small farm in Germany has been successful.

For most hermit crab keepers, like my sister, it comes down to seeing crabs being kept in bad conditions ( in pet stores, in tiny cages given to small children. Us hamster owners know this feeling) and rather having them happy and flourishing in a well kept environment. Making the best of a bad situation.

There's forums similar to this one devoted to the care and keeping of hermit crabs, and these people truly love and care about them.

Colby, I know how compassionate you are, and how much love you have for animals. I'd say go for it, if you're able and willing to keep them.