In a few weeks, I’m going on a week-long vacation. Someone is coming to take care of my hermit crabs and keep them healthy, which is great.
I know a few hermit crabs owners, however, that don’t have the luxury of a pet sitter. They leave their crabs for weeks at a time and come back to happy, healthy hermit crabs.
So, for me, this begs the question: how long can hermit crabs go without food or water?
Hermit crabs are stupendous at surviving on a minimal amount of food and water. They have been known to go up to two weeks without eating. They also keep water in their shells to drink and keep their gills moist.
Let’s talk about in more detail how and why a hermit crab can go so long without water and food. Through my research, I learned some very helpful ways to keep your hermit crabs healthy when you can’t be there for weeks at a time. I will not need a pet sitter on my next vacation!.
People who are hungry eat three meals a day and snacks in between. To most hermit crabs, what looks like hunger to us is just a normal eating schedule.
For starters, they eat very little. They’re small creatures and do not need as many nutrients to get around. Two hermit crabs will be happy for two weeks with a small Jello shot cup full of crushed cereal and other treats. This is considering they have plenty of water, but more on that later.
A happy and very healthy hermit crab will eat more frequently than a less stressed one. If your hermit crab is eating more, that means it’s happy and relaxed in its hermit crab home.
A hermit crab doesn’t need much food and can go days or weeks without eating. This is true whether the crab is happy or stressed. I’m not sure because, as far as I can tell, no one has checked to see how long a hermit crab can go without food, which is fine!
Hermit crabs have a large upper hand in the wild. They don’t need to eat very often, and when they do, it’s a very small amount. Additionally, they carry a shield against danger on their backs, which also serves as a portable water source.
If you look closely at a spiral shell, you’ll see that the inside twists and turns to hide the bigger hole. As strange as it may seem, these little holes are a great way for hermit crabs to keep their water while they do their business.
I wash my crabs’ extra empty shells (I give each one three shells in case it wants to change) but water always gets stuck inside them. After I clean them, I have to shake them to get rid of the extra water that is stored in the seashells’ tiny holes. What makes a boring task even more annoying is proof of how good shell water is for hermit crabs.
Hermit crabs need shell water as a drinking supply and to keep their gills moist. Land crab gills are a bit different than other types of gills.
For starters, land hermit crabs cannot last for long periods of time underwater. Their gills need to stay damp and moist, but not submerged underwater. They accomplish this in 2 ways: staying in a moist environment and keeping their shell water supply up.
The only way they can accomplish this is by having access to plenty of freshwater and saltwater. Their shell water will last them a day or two, but not much longer.
Take a trip or leave your hermit crab alone for a few days. Make sure there is enough water in a bowl so that it doesn’t dry out. So that they don’t drown, make sure that your crabs can easily get in and out of the bowl. Not a big deal since you’ll only be gone for a few days, but I wouldn’t bring metal dishes because they rust.
Hermit crabs are truly remarkable creatures when it comes to surviving without food. As someone who has kept pet hermit crabs for years I’m always impressed by how these little crabs can go for weeks or even months without eating a single thing.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the fasting and food storage abilities of hermit crabs. We’ll also provide tips on making sure your pet hermit crab is well-fed and healthy.
Why Can Hermit Crabs Go So Long Without Food?
Hermit crabs have evolved impeccable survival skills to thrive in the wild. Here are some key reasons why hermit crabs can survive a shockingly long time without any food:
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Slow metabolism: Hermit crabs have a very slow metabolism compared to similar-sized animals. Their bodies are extremely efficient at conserving energy.
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Infrequent eating habits: Hermit crabs are used to going multiple days or even weeks between meals when food sources are scarce. They don’t need to eat daily like humans.
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Small appetite: Since hermit crabs are small, they don’t need to eat very much. A few bites of food can sustain them for a while.
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Water storage: Hermit crabs store fresh water in their shells, allowing them to stay hydrated for days without drinking.
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Fat storage: Before periods of starvation, hermit crabs will gorge themselves and store the excess energy as fat. This fat can provide energy reserves.
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Low activity levels: When food is scarce, hermit crabs conserve energy by not moving around much. They go into energy conservation mode.
How Long Can a Pet Hermit Crab Go Without Food?
For pet hermit crabs, most owners agree they should never be left without food for more than 1-2 weeks maximum.
Here are some general guidelines based on my experience:
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3-5 days: Most healthy pet hermit crabs can easily go this long without food as long as they have water. No cause for concern.
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1 week: At this point, pet hermit crabs will start to get quite hungry. Make sure to feed them as soon as you’re back.
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2 weeks: This should be the absolute maximum time a pet hermit crab goes without food. Any longer risks starvation.
Of course, the age, health, and species of the crab will impact its survival ability. Larger crabs may be able to last a bit longer than tiny crabs. Always err on the side of caution and don’t leave them unfed for too long.
Tips for Feeding Your Hermit Crab When You’re Away
If you’re going on vacation, here are some great tips to make sure your hermit crab is fed in your absence:
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Leave out lots of dry foods like seeds, nuts, dried seaweed, and commercial pellets. This will prevent spoilage.
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Put food in shallow dishes so it’s easy for crabs to access.
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Scatter food around the tank so crabs can forage for it.
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Use an automatic feeder to portion out small amounts of food daily.
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Have a friend or pet sitter come by and feed fresh foods & refill water.
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Give your crab a larger meal before you leave so it has fat reserves.
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Make sure the tank has enough shells, fresh water, and humidity.
Signs Your Hermit Crab is Starving
When you get back from a trip, inspect your hermit crab closely for any signs of starvation such as:
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Lethargy and lack of movement
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Loss of body mass and sunken-in body
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Weak grip strength
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Disinterest in food
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Staying curled up in shell
If you see any of these symptoms, immediately provide food and monitor your crab’s health closely. Call an exotic vet if your crab seems to be in poor condition. With prompt care, most starving crabs can make a full recovery.
The Takeaway: Hermit Crabs Are Survivors
While hermit crabs can survive for impressively long periods without food, pet crabs should never be left unfed for more than 1-2 weeks absolute maximum.
Use the tips in this article to make sure your crabs stay well-fed and healthy anytime you are away. With good care, these resilient crustaceans can live happy lives in captivity.
What do hermit crabs eat in captivity?
Hermit crabs are omnivores, which means they need a healthy diet of vegetation and meat.
High-quality commercial hermit crab food, a healthy mix of vegetables and noncitrus fruits are what hermit crabs that live in captivity eat. A mix of nuts, seaweed, brine shrimp, and cereals are great treats.
Long-Lasting Hermit Crab Meals
There are a lot of different kinds of food that will stay fresh for weeks if you leave your hermit crabs alone for a long time.
The trick is to stick to dry foods. You can get a lot of fiber and protein from foods like cereal, nuts, seeds, dried shrimp, oak leaves, and coconut shavings.
There are also plenty of dried fruits and veggies that will last the duration of your trip.
Give your hermit crabs variety. They’ll choose whatever food they need.
Commerical pellet food is the safest option. It might not be as healthy or tasty, but enough will keep your crabs happy for a few weeks.
I wouldn’t leave my hermit crabs for more than a week without a pet sitter. Leave your crabs with enough water to not dry out, and enough food to last.
You should make sure they have enough food and water to stay active and healthy, even though they don’t eat or drink much.
How to keep hermit crabs ALIVE!!!
FAQ
Can you leave hermit crabs alone for a week?
How often do hermit crabs need to eat?
How long does a hermit crab live as a pet?
How long can a hermit crab be out of water?
How long can a hermit crab go without food and water?
Hermit crabs are stupendous at surviving on a minimal amount of food and water. They have been known to go for several days to 2 weeks without eating, as well as keeping water in their shells for moistening their gills and drinking. Let’s really go in-depth into why and how a hermit crab can go so long without food and water.
Are coconut crabs healthy to eat?
Crabs are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins like riboflavin and minerals like selenium, copper, phosphorus. Coconut crabs are not known to be poisonous. The fat in the abdomen and the egg inside the female are the delicious edible parts. It is prepared by steaming or boiling them in coconut milk. Consuming coconut crab along with sea mango, cerbera manghas may make the coconut crab toxic due to the presence of cardiac cardenolides(cardiac active steroids). This causes electrolyte imbalance that affects the electrical conductivity of the heart.
How long do wild hermit crabs live?
The lifespan of wild hermit crabs can span several decades, with some living for up to 30 years. Life in an aquarium or tank in a home with food and water should be much safer than in the natural world, where potential predators and threats lurk everywhere. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for humans to mirror hermit crabs’ wild environment.
Why is my hermit crab not eating?
It’s not a cause for concern that your hermit crab hasn’t eaten for several days. It’s not a sign of sickness; rather it’s a part of their nature that they keep them away from food and water for some days. There are few reasons why crabs live without food and water. When the process of molting starts, or crabs are stressed they don’t take food.