Bringing home a hermit crab as a new pet? You’ll quickly find out these curious crustaceans have big appetites for small creatures! When it comes to hermit crab diet and nutrition, variety is key.
In the wild, hermit crabs are scavengers and opportunistic eaters They’ll consume just about anything organic they come across As pets, you have the chance to provide a balanced diet to keep your hermit crabs healthy and happy.
Here’s an overview of what to feed pet hermit crabs
An Omnivorous Appetite
Hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they enjoy both plant and animal matter. Their wild diet consists of:
- Decaying wood, leaves, algae
- Fruits, seeds, vegetables
- Worms, insects, spider eggs
- Carrion from birds, fish, turtles
- Even feces!
As pets, hermit crabs should be offered a combination of meat, plants, and calcium sources. Their taste buds lack sweet sensitivity, so hermit crabs tend to prefer pungent, savory, or earthy flavors.
Favorite Hermit Crab Foods
Here are some top foods to offer your hermit crab:
Fruits and Veggies
- Coconut
- Melon
- Mangoes
- Apples
- Carrots
- Sweet potato
- Squash
- Peas
Proteins
- Cooked chicken, beef, fish
- Hard boiled eggs
- Insects like mealworms
- Unsalted nuts
- Seeds
Calcium Sources
- Cuttlebone
- Crushed eggshells
- Calcium powder
- Dairy like yogurt
Treats
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Peanut butter
- Nut butter
- Dried fruits
- Cereal
- Oatmeal
Foods to Avoid
Some human foods are unsafe for hermit crabs:
- Citrus fruits
- Onions, garlic, spices
- Chocolate, caffeine
- Salt, seasoned foods
- Moldy or rotten foods
Don’t feed pet store pellets or seed mixes, as these are nutritionally inadequate. It’s best to provide fresh, natural foods you would eat yourself. Give new foods sparingly until you see that your hermit crabs enjoy them.
Feeding Techniques
Hermit crabs use their pincers or claws to grab food and direct it into their mouths. Here are some feeding tips:
- Offer bite-sized pieces they can easily grasp and chew
- Scatter foods around the tank so all crabs can access
- Put out fresh foods in evenings when crabs are active
- Provide both protein and produce at each meal
- Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24 hours
How Much and How Often?
Hermit crabs are grazers – they like to nibble frequently. Provide new foods every 1-2 days, and remove old foods before they spoil. Observe your crabs’ eating patterns to determine ideal feeding frequency and amounts. Signs your crabs need more food:
- Constant climbing on lid or walls
- Fighting over food
- Slow activity and reaction time
If you’re going on vacation, leave extra foods to last several days. Also research local pet sitters familiar with hermit crabs who can maintain their diet. Proper nutrition is crucial for keeping your crabs healthy!
Encourage Natural Foraging
In addition to a prepared diet, encourage natural foraging behaviors with:
- Coconut fiber substrate to dig through
- Natural wood, sticks, and bark to nibble
- Live plants like pothos they can graze on
- A dish of calcium sand or coconut coir to ingest
Hermit crabs love discovering new foods and environments. Rotating different healthy foods will keep them active and engaged. With some research and observation, you’ll get a good sense of your crabs’ favorite foods and healthy feeding routine. Just remember – variety is key when it comes to hermit crab nutrition!
What foods do hermit crabs eat? Give your crabs these foods to make them active & healthy!
FAQ
What do you feed a hermit crab?
What foods are toxic to hermit crabs?
How often should hermit crabs eat?
Do hermit crabs need a food dish?
What do land hermit crabs eat?
In the wild, land hermit crabs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. In captivity, their diet should be based on a balanced commercial food supplemented with a variety of fresh foods and treats. Keep reading to learn what foods to feed your hermit crab and which ones to avoid.
Can crab meat be consumed as part of a diabetic diet?
Yes, you can. Crab meat has mineral proteins, is rich in calcium, manganese, zinc and polyunsaturated fatty acids from the omega 3 series, which have several beneficial effects, such as lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and preventing complications resulting from diabetes.
How do you feed a hermit crab?
Some people also use natural seashells (the flatter half shells) for feeding. Since all species of hermit crabs should have access to both fresh and salt water, you will need two water dishes.
What fruit should a hermit crab eat?
This is a good healthy fruit to give to your pet crabs. They contain many nutrients that your hermit crabs need to thrive. Apples contain vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, copper, and antioxidants. This fruit should become one of the fruits that you rotate in and out of the hermit crab’s diet.