Do hermit crabs really need the extra exercise?

Questions about designing a terrarium.
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erikleeson
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Do hermit crabs really need the extra exercise?

Post by erikleeson »

Well, thats one important question.

I think if hermit crabs have plenty of climbing structures, they get all the exercise they need in the tank. I rarely take them out at all. What do you think?
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by Wai »

I think they need some fresh air. Think of them like people. We can do all our exercise at home, but it's never the same as doing exercise outside.
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by erikleeson »

Well yeah but I mean humans walk (or most likely drive) to the grocery store for food. Hermit crabs walk 6 inches to get food. But they walk all around and stuff, they dig and climb which probably take alot of energy.
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by lolagranola »

I think that exercise is extremely important for hermit crab longevity. In the wild they roam for miles looking for food and scavenging. Carol of Crabworks has crabs over 30 years old and one of the major differences in her crab keeping is that Jon and Kate are allowed to roam.

I'm certainly not suggesting that we start endorsing letting your crab roam at will. But I do think that there is something to be said for giving them an opportunity to walk around. It's got to be beneficial to the metabolism and other systems.
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by Jedi_Sena »

Inactivity is never healthy. Think of what a huge benefit exercise is to humans and what bad consequences there are for a sedintary lifestyle. That has to translate into the entire animal kingdom as well. Even dogs kept as human pets, having lazy lifestyles of lounging around a comfortable home end up having human diseases like diabetes and obesity, etc.
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by erikleeson »

How true. But we recreate their natural habitat, and its impossible to build an enclosure the size of a beach. I have no problem letting my crabs roam on my desk. But the real question is do they get enough exercise in the tank. Climbing is probably good for them. And its not like they can get obese form fatty food like cheeseburgers. Switching shells probably takes some effort, and being with other crabs and living in the right environment is overall healthy. What do you think?
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by Wai »

Would it be a good idea to put the food dish at random places? I think driving their curiosity will be good for their mental wellbeing. It would be quite boring to just have food appear at this magical dish each day.
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by bobo »

I dont think that they need it, what are thy supposed to get fat??
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by erikleeson »

Carol of Crabworks has crabs over 30 years old and one of the major differences in her crab keeping is that Jon and Kate are allowed to roam.
Thats what I'm getting at! We make sure the tank is as close to the natural habitat as possible. If she has 2 crabs and we up to 100 you'd think ours would live longer because its more natural right? I think it will help your crab live longer to handle them at least once a week! It will also probably help your crab become more active and he will readily greet you upon human contact. What do you guys think?
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Re: Do hermit crabs really need the extra excersise?

Post by Hermie's rule »

I think that extra excersize is vital to their well being.
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