Need answers ASAP...

Panther_Shadow83 · Post by **Panther_Shadow83** » 01 Aug 2005, 12:52

Hey all, I've decided to get some hermies as pets, I just need some questions answered before I get them!!

1. How long do they live? I've heard anywhere from 2 years to ten...

2. Is sand a good substrate? Would it be OK for when they're molting??

3. Should I get a heating pad for under the tank? Or would the normal tempurature be alright? (usually my house is like 70 degrees-ish)

4. Would it be OK for me to put some type of mesh on the side of the tank on the inside for the crabs to climb if they get bored?

5. Would a ten gallon tank be OK for two hermit crabs for their entire lives?

6. How big do land hermies usually grow?

Post by **Wai** » 01 Aug 2005, 16:32

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:How long do they live? I've heard anywhere from 2 years to ten...

If properly cared for, they can live around that length of time or even longer!

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:Is sand a good substrate? Would it be OK for when they're molting???

Sand is the best 'standard' substrate you can use. You may also wish to use some specially designed substrates for animals, such as Forest Bedding. Sand is safe for molting.

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:Should I get a heating pad for under the tank? Or would the normal tempurature be alright? (usually my house is like 70 degrees-ish)?

Most crabbers recommend an under tank heater (UTH). I recommend that you get a heat source of some sort, because cold weather is not always predictable.

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:Would it be OK for me to put some type of mesh on the side of the tank on the inside for the crabs to climb if they get bored??

Most certainly! Just make sure that the hermit crabs can't climb out of the tank that is! Make sure your tank has a lid that covers the top of the entire tank (you'll need gaps for air of course).

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:Would a ten gallon tank be OK for two hermit crabs for their entire lives??

Yes, a ten gallon tank is suitable.

Panther_Shadow83 wrote:How big do land hermies usually grow?

Some of the really old ones are the size of a baseball. They are usually 20 to 40 years old to be that size.

Panther_Shadow83 · Post by **Panther_Shadow83** » 02 Aug 2005, 05:45

Cool, thanks!!! What's the best number of hermies for a first time owner? Two??

Panther_Shadow83 · Post by **Panther_Shadow83** » 02 Aug 2005, 09:28

Also... do hermies usually have a problem with dominance? Like, an alpha hermie and then a beta and some omegas...?

punkslashgothic · Post by **punkslashgothic** » 04 Aug 2005, 02:42

When i first got my hermies, i got two, the same size.(they were about the size of a nickel)They got along great. Then i went to a carnival and won another but this one was really big, his big pincher was the size of my lil hermies. He would push them around and take their food.

This time around im getting either 2 or 3, but same size. Hope I helped some!

Julia_Crab · Post by **Julia_Crab** » 04 Aug 2005, 12:56

They have a pinching order, like all social animals. I've found out the hard way that buying a jumbo bigger than the biggest one you already have is a good way to kill your original jumbo. They don't do too well when they're displaced in the dominance hierarchy.

Big crabs push medium crabs, and they all push small crabs. It's a crab's world.

Crabby Kortney · Post by **Crabby Kortney** » 27 Aug 2005, 23:05

My friend bought two tiny crabs ans then 1 biger one. The bigest 1 pinched off bolth of the smaller ones pincher claws! and the 2nd small crabs 1 ofher claws! i guess its just a alfa crab thing.

Post by **Wai** » 28 Aug 2005, 08:47

They love showing off to each other who's boss...

Julia_Crab · Post by **Julia_Crab** » 30 Aug 2005, 08:30

Crabby Kortney wrote:My friend bought two tiny crabs ans then 1 biger one. The bigest 1 pinched off bolth of the smaller ones pincher claws! and the 2nd small crabs 1 ofher claws! i guess its just a alfa crab thing.

What makes you think the crab pinched off the others' claws? That doesn't usually happen. Unless your friend actually saw it happen, then it's more likely that the other crabs lost their limbs due to PPS.

happibunni42 · Post by **happibunni42** » 08 Nov 2005, 09:40

1. How long do they live? I've heard anywhere from 2 years to ten...
They can live up to 25 years w/ proper care

2. Is sand a good substrate? Would it be OK for when they're molting??
Play sand(moist) is the best substarat. Have it nice and deep.

3. Should I get a heating pad for under the tank? Or would the normal tempurature be alright? (usually my house is like 70 degrees-ish)
70-80 degrees is fine. But always have a gauge to make sure.

5. Would a ten gallon tank be OK for two hermit crabs for their entire lives?
Ya, but it depends on the size of these crabs.

6. How big do land hermies usually grow? Softball size

Need answers ASAP...

Need answers ASAP...

Re: Need answers ASAP...

Number of hermies

Hi