Hermit crabs in their native environment live near the water and the beach. Their diet consists of leaf litter, fruits and vegetation. They also enjoy chewing and eating bark and have a special preference for decaying wood (except pine or cedar.)When they have been domesticated it is recommended that they be fed a good commercial food (such as that produced by FMR) and on alternate days they may be fed treats such as coconut, romaine lettuce, apple, wheat bread, peanut butter, etc.Land hermit crabs eat very slowly and very little so all uneaten food should be removed each day to avoid spoilage. Fresh drinking water must be kept in a non-metal container for the crabs at all times, and it is necessary to put an oyster shell or a cuttlebone in the water for a calcium source.

A clam shell makes a nice water bowl. The water should be shallow (preferably non-chlorinated and low in iron) so the crabs can climb out of the water -- they will drown if submerged for more than a few minutes.Land hermit crabs should be kept in an aquarium with a 2- to 3-inch base of gravel or sand. The temperature should be above 70 degrees and preferably around 80 degrees. This is easy to do if you use a heater under your aquarium and put a wet sponge in the home to supply the needed humidity.Land hermit crabs do not like a wet, sloppy home. We no not recommend using a FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT OR HEAT LAMPS on the aquarium or the use of corn cob or cedar shavings instead of gravel or sand. They tend to dry out the hermit crabs. It is a good idea to bathe your crabs once a week, as well as giving them an occasional misting OUTSIDE the tank. NEVER attempt to remove a crab from its sea shell because it will allow itself to be torn apart rather than give up its protective home.Hermit crabs are not aggressive like many of the sea crabs and can be handled (they can climb on the outstretched palm of your hand without difficulty), but it is well to avoid the large purple pincher claw which is used for defense and for holding onto limbs for climbing and for balancing. The smaller claw is used to pass food and water to the mouth.

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