| In nature, a hermit crab is omnivorous. This | | | | at most decent sized pet stores. Avoid starchy |
| means that hermit crabs eat a little of everything | | | | veggies like potatoes as well as avoid dairy |
| including plants and meats. While they are in | | | | products. You might find that your crab likes |
| captivity as a pet, their diet should either be | | | | sweets or salty junk food. This should be rarely |
| based on a commercial diet with crab food and | | | | given for snacks, as it is not good for the hermit |
| supplements of natural foods, or a natural diet | | | | crab anymore than it is for people. |
| consisting of foods you yourself might eat. | | | | Besides being fed, hermit crabs need calcium. |
| Whatever you feel is best for your hermit crab, | | | | Some ways to provide calcium for your hermit |
| they are both adequate to nourish your crab. | | | | crab are cuttlebone, found in most pet stores in |
| As far as commercial food goes, there are | | | | the bird section. This can be broken up or given |
| several different types of crab food. Ask your | | | | whole. There are also calcium supplements that |
| local pet store specialist which they would | | | | can be given to the hermit crab besides |
| recommend. Crab foods come in pellets or | | | | cuttlebone. Also, crushed oyster shell, coral sand, |
| granules. If you are planning to use pellets, they | | | | and cleaned crushed eggshells all contain calcium |
| should be crushed into a powder, to make it | | | | for the hermit crab. |
| more easily accessible for your hermit crabs, | | | | Besides food and calcium, hermit crabs need |
| especially if you plan to purchase a small crab. You | | | | water. Purified water is the only water that will do. |
| can feed other commercial pet foods like reptile | | | | Chlorinated water is not acceptable to give to |
| food or fish flakes. Whichever you choose, | | | | hermit crabs because it can harm their modified |
| commercial foods need to be supplemented by | | | | gills, causing blisters on them if repeatedly |
| natural treats. Veggies and fruits are great | | | | exposed to it. Needed is a water dish large |
| supplements to a commercial foods diet. Cooked | | | | enough for the required natural sponge and for |
| chicken is also a great thing to treat your crab to | | | | the hermit crab to soak in. Be careful to offer a |
| every now and then. | | | | place for smaller crabs to get out of the dish so |
| Commercial diets are very convenient and most | | | | they do not drown. This first water dish is to |
| are fairly well-balanced. However, the best diet for | | | | contain fresh water. There is needed a second |
| your hermit crab is a diet full of natural foods | | | | dish that should contain salt water, for the hermit |
| only. Fruits that may be fed include mango, | | | | crab. They have access to the saltwater in their |
| papaya, coconut, grapes, and bananas. Veggies | | | | natural habitats. A sea sponge should also be |
| that are appropriate to feed your hermit crab are | | | | placed in this container as well. Feeding and |
| carrots, spinach, broccoli, and seaweed. There are | | | | providing water for your crab is a vital part of the |
| many more foods that are available to feed your | | | | hermit crab's survival. Research as much as you |
| hermit crab on a natural foods diet. A care sheet | | | | can where this is concerned, as hermit crabs are |
| containing all the available foods can be picked up | | | | not just throw away pets. |