HERMIT CRAB
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 | Hermit Crabs can make fascinating pets that
are hardy when kept in the proper conditions.
Most Hermit crabs kept as pets are the Atlantic
Hermit Crab, also known as the Tree Crab. These
crustaceans inhabit coastal areas of Central and
South America. They are social creatures that can
sometimes be found in very large numbers while
scavenging for food at night. Hermit Crabs can
grow up to 4 inches and do well as pets when a
few basic needs are met.
- Common Name: Hermit Crab
- Scientific Name: Coenobita spp.
- Distribution: Throughout Central and
Northern South American, Caribbean and
surrounding Islands
- Size: 2″- 6″
- Life Span: 10 yrs+
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HABITAT |
- A 10 gallon terrarium is
sufficient for up to 6
small (<2″) Hermit
Crabs, while larger
crabs (3 ½”+) will
need a 20 gallon
terrarium and can
be housed with
3 or 4 crabs. - Hermit crabs are social
animals; however they
should not be crowded
when being kept in
captivity. - Zoo Med’s Naturalistic
Terrarium or
ReptiHabitat
enclosures are a
great choice for
Hermit Crabs.
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HEATING | - Daytime Terrarium
Temperature 78-83 F. - Nighttime Terrarium
Temperature 68-73 F. - Zoo Med’s Hermit Crab
Heater is an excellent
choice to provide
supplemental heat to
your Hermit Crabs. - Nightlight Red Heat
Bulbs are a great choice
to provide night time
heat and provide just
enough light for viewing
their interesting
nocturnal activities.
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SUBSTRATES | - Hermit Crabs will need a
deep layer of substrate to
burrow in. We recommend
having at least 3″ of
substrate throughout
half of the enclosure. - Mix 2 parts Zoo Med’s
Hermit Crab Sand with
1 part Hermit Crab Soil
(coconut bedding). This
combination will create
an ideal layer of substrate
that will hold humidity
and allow for natural
burrowing behaviors.
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WATER | - Water is critical to the health
and success of keeping Hermit
Crabs in captivity. - Hermit Crabs have gills similar
to those of fish; this adaptation
requires high humidity levels
in your terrarium (70-90%
relative humidity). - Spray your Hermit Crab’s
enclosure daily. - Hermit Crabs will need two
different water bowls with
constant access to both fresh
and saltwater. - Zoo Med’s Drinking Water
Conditioner should be used for
removing chemicals such as
Chlorine and Chloramines. Use
Zoo Med’s Salt Water Conditioner
to turn tap water into saltwater.
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NUTRITION | - Hermit Crabs are
omnivorous scavengers
that will eat a wide
variety of foods. - Zoo Med provides three
basic food items that will
make up a balanced diet
when fed regularly. - Zoo Med’s Hermit Crab
Food and Fruit Salad
are a good choice for
daily feedings. - We recommend mixing Zoo
Med’s Canned Hermit Crab
Food with pelleted foods for
a well balanced meal.
|  | TIPS | - Provide plenty of
climbing branches
and a secure lid
because Hermit
Crabs love to climb! - Hermit Crabs will
outgrow their shells
and are always on
the search for their
next home. Keeping
Hermit Crabs
successfully
requires keeping
several extra shells
that are larger than
the current shell being used.
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