It may be low-maintenance but this intriguing pet still needs your love and care. Melanie Hearse finds out more about the joys of owning a Hermit crab.
While low-maintenance, the tiny Hermit crab does require more care than most people are aware. Here’s your guide to all things Hermit crab care.
These little crustaceans, often known as crazy crabs, are those tiny little crustaceans most of us had as a kid. Vanessa Pike-Russell has been keeping Australian Land Hermit crabs as pets since 1994, and runs Vanessa’s Crabitat, a useful online source of info and goodies for your Hermit crab. She says they make great pets for many reasons: they’re relatively low-maintenance in that they require no house-training (or constant scooping up of droppings left throughout your property!), eat very little and don’t take up a lot of space. They also exercise themselves if you provide them with driftwood in their enclosure. Being hypoallergenic creatures, they’re a good choice for those who can’t keep dogs, cats or other hairy animals due to allergies.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge, Vanessa’s website (vanessascrabitat.com.au) is a great starting point. It is chock full of tips and tricks on crab care, setting up a tank and choosing the best crab and shells for your home.
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