Keeping Your Crabitat Humid

One thing many crab owners have yet to master is the humidity of their crabitat. It's just not an easy feat to accomplish. And much of the equipment is so expensive that it just doesn't seem to fit into our budgets. But there are a variety of ways to add water to the air. Some are more affordable than others. Some are more effective. 

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Quick Easy Tips

Keep the sand moist. This makes it easier for hermit crabs to dig, and naturally the water slowly evaporates into the air. This is probably the quickest, easiest, way to promote good humidity- although simply having wet sand will not create enough moisture in the air. You need to combine it with other techniques. Remember not to 'over-wet' your sand. It should be a sand castle consistency. There should never be puddles and the top layer should feel dry to the touch.
Have large water areas. Both your saltwater and freshwater areas can be as big or as little as you like. But the bigger they are, the more water they hold, and the more water they evaporate into the air.
Sponges. Contrary to popular belief, hermit crabs don't need sponges to drink. But sponges do help disperse water into the air. Keep a few sponges in your crabitat. Boil them once a month to prevent any bacterial growth.

Other Ideas / Investments

Waterfalls: Waterfalls make beautiful crabitat accessories, and most likely your hermit crabs will love you for the fresh flowing water. Unfortunately most commercial waterfalls are cheaply made and tend to break before you get your moneys worth. If you're more of a technical fixer-upper then these would work great. Most need modified a few times in order to work correctly, but once they are working they will quickly add a good amount of moisture into the air.
Foggers: We still haven't decided if these are good or bad for a hermit crab. They most certainly don't hurt the crab, but they do tend to create an environment where mold loves to grow. They create a foggy haze throughout the aquarium which makes for a really tropical wet feel, but at the same time doesn't necessarily allow you to have full view of your crabitat at all times.

Sprinklers: Hermit crabs naturally adore the rain. In their natural environment they are most active during rainfall. So an automatic sprinkler system is investment to make. It's a bit more expensive, yes. But at the same time it creates a natural feel and does an excellent job of putting much needed humidity into the air. Depending on your house temperature and your outdoors conditions, the timing of the 'rainpour' will be different from area to area. So you'll need to monitor the sprinklers for a few days to determine what's right.
Humidifiers: These are a bit more expensive but a decent investment. They're probably one of the most convenient ways to keep the humidity level good. They monitor the humidity level and then can be set to keep the humidity between certain degrees which is exactly what hermit crabs require.
DIY Humidifier: Most hermit crab owners don't invest in expensive equipment. They would much rather make their own. The easiest DIY Humidifier is simply an air pump with a bubbler attached to the tubing. Place this in one of your freshwater dishes and naturally let the water sprinkle around. This typically keeps a steady flow of moisture into the air, as well as keeping the sand wet which also promotes good humidity.

 

Did you find this article helpful? Check out this article on 6 Easy Steps for Keeping A Clean Crabitat!

Crabitat Plant Ideas

People decorate terrariums and aquariums with live plants all the time, so why not decorate your crabitat with them too? Crabs are a bit more hard to please when it comes to live plants. Many are piousness and crabs tend to try a bite of everything that enters their arena. Crabs can destroy an entire plant in one day. And decorating your crabitat with live plants often results in the appearance of a hurricane rather than tropical paradise. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't or can't treat your little creatures to some aux natural decor. Here are a few quick, easy, and affordable ways to spice up your crabitat with the safety and destructiveness of your crabs in mind.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Leaf Lettuce: Loose-leaf lettuce (not the tight rounded head kind) is relatively quick and easy to grow. You can buy variety packs of lettuce seeds online or at most greenhouses and seed shops. Sprinkle four or five seeds into a small pot and let them grow for about a month and a half on your windowsill. Once they're beginning to fill up the planter set them inside your crabitat. Most likely your crabs will gobble them all up and hysterically tear them to shreds. But the price of the seeds are so cheap, and they need such a little amount of care and dirt that they are practically more affordable than a head of lettuce. Grow multiple planters at once and you can exchange them in the terrarium every few days to keep the natural look going.

Spider Plants: Spider plants are a favorite among many in-home gardeners. They don't take a green-thumb to survive. In fact they are probably one of the hardiest plants on earth and can survive with even the most inexperienced growers. Spider plants have 'babies' that grow off of them. You can snip four to five babies off of a spider plant every six to eight months. Set the babies in water and let them take root. Then move them to a small planter for a month. Usually they will grow quite fast. They are very pretty plants that make great additions to terrariums. Your hermit crabs will casually nibble them, but the plants are usually hardy enough to live even with your crabs company.

Pineapple Plants: Don't worry, you don't have to run out to some exotic greenhouse to create your own terrarium pineapple plant. Instead of throwing away the top of the pineapple the next time you bring a whole one home from the super market, plant it in some tropical potting soil and let it take root. In about two to three months you can transplant it into your crabitat. The tough leaves make perfect climbing toys for crabs and they look like natural accessories in a tropical or beachy crabitat.

Hermit Crab Climbing Object Ideas

Hermit crabs must be some of the most versatile little climbers in the world. With such tiny little legs and claws one would never imagine that these creatures would love to climb just about anything. Hermit crabs tend to have the motto "there's no such thing as going around- I simply climb over". And they climb over everything. And they love to climb. The quickest way to keep any crab entertained is to add some height to their crabitat. Here are some fun ways to add a bit of pizazz to that one-level crabitat out of items you have in your own home.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Lace: This natural material may be elegant and gorgeous, but it also tends to discolor and stain- which ultimately turns it useless. Instead of throwing out those grayish curtains, line a side of your terrarium with the fabric. The tiny holes and loose texture are perfect for little claws to crawl up and down.

Burlap Sacks: Although now-a-days these sacks aren't used for much more than children's races and the occasional garden potato- they do make great accessories to hermit crab habitats. If you have an old one lying around shake it out of dust and let it hang outside for a day to ensure that it's 'aired out' of any contaminants. The neutral color can fit into almost any terrarium set up and he texture is perfect for creating climbing areas with.

Towels: Dishtowels and wash clothes eventually wear out, but that doesn't mean they're useless. Textured fabrics like towels with holes, tears, and thinned spots make great climbing material. Boil them in dechlorinated water (do not use soap) and then hang in the side of your hermit crabs habitat. The holes and tears don't matter- they look sort of like a pirate ship accessory and will fit in perfect in your little beachy habitat.

Bark: Old pieces of dried bark make perfect climbing toys. Maple, oak, and birch bark are all safe and perfect for climbing. Lean a slab up against the side of your tank to creating a climbing hill that your crabs can venture up and down and all around.

Reptile Netting: Nets made specifically for reptiles are also safe for hermit crabs. They often come with suction-cup attachments that make them easy to install in any terrarium with glass walls.

Cholla Wood: Cholla wood is an all natural cactus wood that dries with natural holes in it. It's very sturdy and can easily be leaned up against other objects, or the corner of a terrarium, to create a great accessory for cholla wood. 

Hermit Crab Hut Ideas

The stereotypical coconut huts are adorable and hermit crabs adore them. But what if you want to change up the crabitat without making a big investment? Here are some fun ideas for quick and easy hermit huts that you can create in your own home.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Flower Pots: Stick a terracotta flower pot halfway into the sand and leave the other half out. This fun little half-circle will create a comfy cozy hiding place for any hermit crab. And the texture of these eco-friendly pots makes them able to be climbed upon.

River Rocks: Naturally harvested river rocks are by far one of the cheapest and prettiest accessories that can be added to any terrarium. Look for rocks that are jagged or textured. Fine ones with a natural curve or cuts that can be arranged in a way where hermit crabs can crawl underneath and up and down. Boil the rocks in water for 3 minutes to remove any contaminants.

Plastic Bowls: Take a pair of scissors and a little hole in the side of a plastic disposable bowl. Don't use Styrofoam, for it can easily be ingested by hermit crabs and could have fatal effects. Once you cut the hole place the bowl upside down into the sand. Wah-lah a little disposable hut. And once your hermit crabs have used it up you can throw it away guilt-free.

Wicker Baskets: Wicker is made from dehydrated willow. Although willow has not been proved as safe for hermit crabs, wicker has not had any negative effects documented. Small wicker baskets usually sell for around $1.00 each and can easily be found at most Dollar stores around the US. Cut a hole in one side and place the basket upside down into the sand. Your crabs will love the airy open feel of the wicker hut. Wicker can also add moisture into the air if sprayed a little each day. These huts should be changed out about once a month to avoid rot.

Woven Grass Baskets: Woven grass baskets tend to be a bit more costly, but if you can make them yourself it usually only takes about a day to make one that is the perfect size for a crab. The crabs will love climbing all over the textured outside, but also feel comfy and cozy in the inside. Treat the grass basket the same as the wicker basket by cutting a hole in the side and disposing of it after 1 month of use. Grass baskets can also up the humidity if sprayed daily.

Hermit Crab Water and Food Dish Ideas

Every hermit crab home should have three dishes. One for food, one for saltwater, and one for freshwater. And many times there will be many more dishes than that scattered around the floor of a crabitat. Some people have dishes specifically for fish, dry foods, or fruits. But it isn't necessary to invest in professional reptile or small pet dishes from your local pet store. Many are expensive and not necessarily better than a similar object you could find laying around your house. Here are some ideas for affordable 'hermit crab dishes' you can create within your own home.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Antique Glass Ash Trays. Ash trays are naturally shallow and make great water holes for small and medium hermit crabs. They come in a variety of shapes and colors. Goodwill is full of hundreds of antique trays. Surely you can find one that will match your crabitat interior decor. Boil the tray for five to six minutes, scrub well with some vinegar, and then boil again for another 3 minutes to clean it out.

Small Tupperware Containers. Don't throw that old discolored tupperware container into the trash. Instead wash it thoroughly with boiled water and use it as a hermit crab food or water dish. The sandwich ones work best for saltwater and freshwater areas. Throw some gravel in the bottom for a textured 'pond-like' appearance that your hermit crabs will adore.

Plastic Cups. For stinky foods like fish, meats, and seaweed you can create a disposable dish with a plastic cup. Simply use scissors to cut around the edge and make it a height small enough for your crabs to crawl into. The next morning you can pull the cup out and throw it away without having to worry about scrubbing out all of that ucky fish residue.

Plastic Mixing Spoons. So you broke another handle off of one of those cheap plastic mixing spoons? Instead of throwing it away use the spoon part as a food dish for your crabs. The natural curve will fit nicely into the sand and create a perfect little place for your crabs to go and forage.

How To Set Up Your First Crabitat

Setting up your first crabitat is really exciting! But at the same time ensuring that everything is 'just right' can be very nerve wracking. To help get you through the process we've created a step-by-step plan to setting up your beginner crabitat.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Step One: Find your perfect crabitat. Decide what size of hermit crabs you want as well as how many- and then buy the proper terrarium. For every crab your aquarium should have 2 gallons. Then you should add an additional 2 gallons for extra space. So let's say you want 2 small hermit crabs, 1 medium, and 1 large. You would probably want to invest in a 10 gallon aquarium.

Step Two: Make it tropical. Buy a terrarium heater. Depending on the size of your terrarium you will need a different size heater. For a 10 gallon terrarium a small or medium heater would probably work just fine. Heaters can be placed on the bottom or side of the aquarium- away from a place where any water may drip. We recommend the back side near the bottom. This way your hermit crabs can dig without the sand getting too hot beneath them an accidental water leak will not provoke electric sparks. Add a terrarium thermometer to the inside of your tank to help you monitor the temperature.

Step Three: Add a beachy feel. Simply buy some sand. For small to medium sized hermit crabs you should have 1 pound of sand per 1 gallon of your tank. So for a 10 gallon aquarium you would want 10 pounds of sand. Typically this will fill the tank with 2 to 3 inches of sand. Once the sand is in the tank pour a few cups of water over the sand to moisten it. This will help make it 'diggable' for your crabs as well as upping the humidity of the tank. There's no need to invest in special 'hermit crab sand'. A small bag of play sand from your local hardware store will do just fine. Reptile Sand (not the calcium-added ones) also works well.

Step Four: Create Saltwater and Freshwater Areas. You can buy pre-made food and water dishes for small pets or reptiles. These make great water containers for hermit crabs. On the other hand, the investment isn't necessary. Shallow bowls filled with gravel, tupper ware containers, or even cleaned ash trays make great little water areas. Fill one with saltwater (which can be created with aquarium salt from your local pet store) and the other with dechlorinated spring water. Make each bowl deep enough for the largest hermit crab to fully submerge itself. Make sure to have a way for the hermit crabs to crawl out. Plastic plants, sponges, and rocks are always a great way to ensure your little guys can crawl in and out safely.

Step Five: Up The Humidity. Put a humidity gauge inside your terrarium and begin to monitor your humidity. The best way to create humidity in a 10 gallon aquarium is with sponges and a spray bottle. Add a few sponges to your habitat and keep them soaking wet. They will naturally add moisture to the air. Then mist the terrarium regularly with a spray bottle. It takes a few days to determine how your terrarium reacts to moisture, so keep an eye on your humidity gauge and learn what works and what doesn't.

Step Six: Make it Fun. The most lovable thing about hermit crabs is that they are so adventurous. They want to explore everything. So give them everything to explore. Plastic and safe live plants, coconut huts, ladders, hemp nets, aquarium ornaments, driftwood, etc. Experiment and change it up regularly to keep your little creatures stimulated. Their inner explorer is endless and they will literally discover every single inch of your terrarium.

  

How To Clean Your Crabitat

So your little crabs have been spoiled with all sorts of fish, fruits, and other things that like to rot and smell? Not to mention the fact your terrarium is warm and humid- which means that smell starts even faster. Keeping your crabitat clean prevents odors and keeps your little guys happy and healthy. So we've created a step-by-step tip sheet on how to clean your terrarium. You should repeat this process twice a month to keep your crabitat as clean as possible.

Photo credit to the Oregon Hermit Crab Rescue. 
Click their name to learn more about this great rescue!

Step One: Move your crabbies to a 'play pen'. Your playpen should be a safe large bowl or terrarium that they can temporarily play in without climbing out or finding themselves in dangerous positions. Do not let your hermit crabs run unsupervised around your home! They move much faster than most people realize they do.

Step Two: Remove all plastic and glass decorations, food dishes, and plants. Take any plastic or glass objects and set them in boiling hot water for two minutes. Take any live plants and wipe them off with a damp cloth. Once your other objects have been pulled out of the boiling hot water wipe them down with a cloth as well to remove anything that may be contaminating them. Let them dry completely.

Step Three: Remove any other decoration objects from your crabitat. For cloth nets, pieces of driftwood, and coconut shells wipe with a cloth soaked in boiling hot water. Do not soak these objects in water! This can cause them to rot faster. After you have wiped them away set them in a cool airy place to dry completely.

Step Four: Clean the sand. This may be the hardest part of cleaning your crabitat. First you should take a small scoop and take out any parts of your sand that seem to have lots of rotting materials. Those scoops of sands should be disposed of. Then remove the first layer of sand and dispose of it as well. Now grab a large oven-safe pan from your kitchen and put the remaining sand from your terrarium into the pan. Bake your sand in an oven at 250 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (until it's completely dry). This will help sterilize the sand.

Step Five: Now it's time to clean the terrarium. Grab some cloth rags (the softer the better) and a tub of hot to warm water. You don't want the water to be boiling hot- just as warm as your hands can stand it. Then dampen a bit of rag and scrub down the inside of your terrarium. Remove any marks, stains, or things that just don't belong on the side of a clean terrarium. Once you've cleaned out the entire thing, wipe down again with a dry rag, This will help catch any last little things you may have missed with a damp cloth.

Step Six: Once your sand has cooled off, pour it back into the aquarium. And then redesign your crabitat. Changing up your crabitat and cleaning it twice a month will keep your pets active and lively. By switching ornaments around and adding new and different activities you give your crabs the chance to explore a new area. Keeping their lives full of exciting, clean, new things is a great way to keep your little friends happy and healthy for years to come.

6 Easy Steps For Keeping A Clean Crabitat

Boil Sponges: This is a quick and easy step you can do at least once a week. Simply place a cup of water in your microwave, and microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and place your sponges into the boiling water. Let sit for 60 seconds, remove, and let cool for 15 minutes. Then return the sponges to the habitat!

Clean Food Dishes: It's easy- every time you pull a food dish out of the tank, simply wipe it down with a hot rag, or save an old tooth brush and use it to scrub anything that might be stuck onto the sides. It will help keep mold from growing on old particles of leftover food.

Clean Water Dishes: This is especially important for the saltwater dish. In order to make sure that the salt-to-water-ratio is always right you should change out the water every day. And naturally fresh drinking water should be changed out just as often. Just changing out the waters should keep these dishes clean.

Wipe Down The Sides: If you wake up in the morning and see that your little creatures were very active last night, then it might be time to scrub down the sides. If there is sand sprayed up and little dirty claw prints all over, just take a wet cloth and quickly wipe off the sides. It's quick, easy, simple, and will keep your crabitat looking nice.

Scoop Out Old Food: The morning after feeding your little darlings, take a plastic spoon and scoop out any clumps of old food- especially pieces of meat and fish. Although your pets may be storing them away for later, it's best to avoid food rot and just give them something new to preoccupy them instead of allowing them to keep pieces of leftovers in a warm humid environment.

Be An Interior Designer: Redecorate your crabitat! It's fun to move around ornaments and create little new activities for your crabbies. And when you redecorate, naturally you clean up a little too. You get to wipe off any plants, nets, and plastic pieces. It's a great way to keep you motivated, your crabitat clean, and your pets excited about exploring!