Hermit crabs are fascinating creatures. They are in the crusteacean family and breathe air through hardened gills. For this reason, they need it humid. Since hermit crabs live on the beach and in the foliage surrounding it, they also need both salt and fresh water.
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Hermit crabs are specially adapted to live on the beach in abandoned marine snail shells. The crabs shed their exoskeleton to grow, and once they have grown too much to fit into their old shell, they find a new one. Picking out a new shell is a complicated process, which involves trying on many of the available shells before making the final move.
When a hermit crab sheds its exoskeleton to grow, it is called "molting". To molt, a crab digs deep underground for weeks at a time, sometimes even months. When safe underground, they remove their old skin and tuck inside their shell to grow a new one. Because of this, hermit crabs need deep, moist sand or dirt so they can dig down and grow.
When a hermit crab sheds its exoskeleton to grow, it is called "molting". To molt, a crab digs deep underground for weeks at a time, sometimes even months. When safe underground, they remove their old skin and tuck inside their shell to grow a new one. Because of this, hermit crabs need deep, moist sand or dirt so they can dig down and grow.
Hermit crabs are scavengers, so they'll eat anything they find on the beach; fruits, vegetables, leaves, bark, wood, fish, squid, anything! Hermit crabs also need calcium to grow their exoskelton, which is calcium rich. They can find it in some plants and cuttle bone, among other things.
Salt and fresh water were mentioned before. Hermit crabs use salt and fresh water to regulate the mixture of both inside thier shells. This shell water keeps their abdomen and gills moist. They also drink both types of water.
Now that you know a little bit about herrmit crabs, head on over to the Basic Care page to learn how to take care of them!
Salt and fresh water were mentioned before. Hermit crabs use salt and fresh water to regulate the mixture of both inside thier shells. This shell water keeps their abdomen and gills moist. They also drink both types of water.
Now that you know a little bit about herrmit crabs, head on over to the Basic Care page to learn how to take care of them!