The Scoop on Land Hermit Crabs

I just came across an informative site that teaches about the proper care of Land Hermit Crabs, from what they eat to how to handle molting and shell upgrades.  The owner also maintains a separate online store called The Happy Hermit Crab where you can purchase a variety of foods and shells.

Here are the basics on caring for a land hermit crab:

• Temperature no lower than 72 degrees F (while avoiding too high of temperatures, as might occur if left near a window with direct sunlight).  It's best to stay between 75-83 degrees F.
• A constant humidity level of at least 70% (think tropical and invest in a humidity gauge).
• Deep enough substrate for the hermit crabs to burrow in (with consideration given to your under-tank heater - you may need less substrate directly over it to ensure enough heat can penetrate).
• Hermit crabs prefer to be kept in groups and won't do as well solo.  (In the wild they live in huge colonies.)
• The minimum size "crabitat" or tank for your hermit crab is 10 gallons, but this will depend on the number of crabs and amount of decor you decide to include.
• The best substrates to use are Eco-Earth, Forest Bedding, and/or Calci-Sand.  The first two are coconut fiber bedding and may be used alone or mixed with the sand. 
• Any water given to your hermit crab should be dechlorinated using a water conditioner (any of the ones used for tropical fish tanks are acceptable). 

For more information on land hermit crab care, check out this page.  For answers to commonly asked questions, you can peruse the Land Hermit Crab Care Articles or Crabzilla.net.