As your home is your castle you will want to make your pet's cage as inviting to him as you can.
You are correct if you have realized that hermit crabs requirements are less that for other creatures.
Hamsters and guinea pigs, for example, need a home that is much more complex than what is required for your hermit crab.
Maintaining a healthy environment that will keep your pet happy is the most important consideration and will have him feeling 'home, sweet, home".
Think "tropical paradise".
Your task in setting up your hermit crabs cage is to make it as moist and tropical as you possibly can.
The tank is the first consideration you may choose from either plastic of glass for the construction of the tank.
Crustaceans are known to be escape artists and you will have a challenge on your hands in maintaining your "Houdini".
You will save yourself time and worry and ensure his safety if your cage has a top that can be closed.
You will find specially kits that were designed for hermit crabs.
You should avoid these kits as they are plastic, which is not necessarily bad, but are generally too small to provide the room your crab requires.
The bigger the better - as with the number of crabs you own, you should select the largest tank you can afford.
The best size tank to look for is one that is 10 gallons or larger.
You are not just housing your Harriet the Hermit Crab you need to have room for a water bowl and other items that she might enjoy playing around.
Substrate: The Floor Covering Sand is the best choice for the floor or your crabs' cage.
It is the substrate material that they are familiar with in their natural environment and will have them feeling like they never left home.
Sand is great for her to burrow down into, as crabs love to dig down into the sand, as it is what they do naturally.
You may use "playground sand" that you can easily find at home improvement, hardware and children's toy stores.
You will need to sterilize the sand prior to using.
Sterilize the sand by rinsing it then allowing it to dry.
Then bake in an oven at 300°F.
From time to time you will want to re-wash the sand.
Sand is not the only option for substrate for your cage.
You may use material that is sold for reptile cages.
For example, Coconut fiber-based bedding, that is finely ground and it feels and has the appearance of dirt.
This will allow your crab to burrow easily.
Another substrate choice that you may consider is coral.
However, you will need to steer clear from wood shavings and gravel as a substrate material.
Acceptable Temperature The wonderful creatures are happiest between 72 and 80° F and you will want to keep the tank in this temperature range.
If the temperature consistently falls below 72 degrees your crab may become sick, as lower temperatures will cause her to become stressed and weak.
Heaters are used in homes in cooler climates to keep us happy and healthy.
In similar fashion, these crabs can be kept cozy with a combination of lights and heaters.
Acceptable Humidity Temperature is not the only consideration in the happiness and health of these crabs.
Humidity is another requirement that you will need to pay careful attention to.
Crabs breathe through gills even though they are terrestrial animals.
Humidity in the air allows for the transfer of oxygen through the crabs gills.
Suffocation can result if the air is too dry.
Humidity between 70 to 80 percent is required for crabs to be able to breathe properly.
Surprisingly it is not difficult to introduce and maintain humidity in the tank.
A bowl of water that you place in the tank as the water dish will elevate the humidity level.
Other ways to increase the humidity would be to place wet natural sponges in the water dish.
Sponges absorb and hold a great deal of water.
Surface area allows for greater evaporation to occur and increases the amount of humidity in the tank.
Now you can relax and enjoy Harriet the Hermit Crab, knowing that you have provided her basic needs.
She should be happy and healthy and with you for years.
You are correct if you have realized that hermit crabs requirements are less that for other creatures.
Hamsters and guinea pigs, for example, need a home that is much more complex than what is required for your hermit crab.
Maintaining a healthy environment that will keep your pet happy is the most important consideration and will have him feeling 'home, sweet, home".
Think "tropical paradise".
Your task in setting up your hermit crabs cage is to make it as moist and tropical as you possibly can.
The tank is the first consideration you may choose from either plastic of glass for the construction of the tank.
Crustaceans are known to be escape artists and you will have a challenge on your hands in maintaining your "Houdini".
You will save yourself time and worry and ensure his safety if your cage has a top that can be closed.
You will find specially kits that were designed for hermit crabs.
You should avoid these kits as they are plastic, which is not necessarily bad, but are generally too small to provide the room your crab requires.
The bigger the better - as with the number of crabs you own, you should select the largest tank you can afford.
The best size tank to look for is one that is 10 gallons or larger.
You are not just housing your Harriet the Hermit Crab you need to have room for a water bowl and other items that she might enjoy playing around.
Substrate: The Floor Covering Sand is the best choice for the floor or your crabs' cage.
It is the substrate material that they are familiar with in their natural environment and will have them feeling like they never left home.
Sand is great for her to burrow down into, as crabs love to dig down into the sand, as it is what they do naturally.
You may use "playground sand" that you can easily find at home improvement, hardware and children's toy stores.
You will need to sterilize the sand prior to using.
Sterilize the sand by rinsing it then allowing it to dry.
Then bake in an oven at 300°F.
From time to time you will want to re-wash the sand.
Sand is not the only option for substrate for your cage.
You may use material that is sold for reptile cages.
For example, Coconut fiber-based bedding, that is finely ground and it feels and has the appearance of dirt.
This will allow your crab to burrow easily.
Another substrate choice that you may consider is coral.
However, you will need to steer clear from wood shavings and gravel as a substrate material.
Acceptable Temperature The wonderful creatures are happiest between 72 and 80° F and you will want to keep the tank in this temperature range.
If the temperature consistently falls below 72 degrees your crab may become sick, as lower temperatures will cause her to become stressed and weak.
Heaters are used in homes in cooler climates to keep us happy and healthy.
In similar fashion, these crabs can be kept cozy with a combination of lights and heaters.
Acceptable Humidity Temperature is not the only consideration in the happiness and health of these crabs.
Humidity is another requirement that you will need to pay careful attention to.
Crabs breathe through gills even though they are terrestrial animals.
Humidity in the air allows for the transfer of oxygen through the crabs gills.
Suffocation can result if the air is too dry.
Humidity between 70 to 80 percent is required for crabs to be able to breathe properly.
Surprisingly it is not difficult to introduce and maintain humidity in the tank.
A bowl of water that you place in the tank as the water dish will elevate the humidity level.
Other ways to increase the humidity would be to place wet natural sponges in the water dish.
Sponges absorb and hold a great deal of water.
Surface area allows for greater evaporation to occur and increases the amount of humidity in the tank.
Now you can relax and enjoy Harriet the Hermit Crab, knowing that you have provided her basic needs.
She should be happy and healthy and with you for years.
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