How Long Can Hermit Crabs Live? A Look at Their Lifespan
The hermit crab is also known as the hermit shrimp, white-dwelling crab, dry-dwelling crab, and so on. It got its name because it is very fierce, often using its claws to eat the flesh of mollusk shellfish, seizing their shells for itself, and never paying rent for its housing. It is mostly found along the coasts of the Yellow Sea and the southern sea areas, and is easily spotted in sandy beaches and crevices of seaside rocks. Now let's take a look at how long hermit crabs can live!
How long can hermit crabs live?
The lifespan of a hermit crab is generally 2 to 5 years, but in a good rearing environment they can often live to 20 to 30 years, and there are records of the longest one living over 70 years. The lifespan of a hermit crab has a great deal to do with its environment. If the water composition cannot be properly prepared, then living a few months already counts as very long.
What do hermit crabs eat?
Hermit crabs are scavengers, meaning they can accept almost anything edible. They will not refuse any feed, vegetables, fruit, rice, or dead fish and shrimp. However, what makes strawberry hermit crabs different from ordinary hermit crabs is that they need frequent carotene supplements to maintain their vivid body color. Otherwise the red color will gradually fade. The best source of carotene is shrimp or color-enhancing feed specially made for red tropical fish. In addition, they also have a habit of living in groups, so individuals kept alone will not adapt as well as those kept in groups.
The rearing environment for hermit crabs
1. Temperature: The rearing temperature for hermit crabs should be no lower than 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 78 degrees.
2. Humidity: Relative humidity of 70%, absolute humidity of about 50%, but most hygrometers measure relative humidity. Hermit crabs like moisture, but moisture does not mean stuffiness. Be sure to pay attention to ventilation, and never seal the terrarium shut.
3. Substrate: The substrate is usually something like stones or sand. Hermit crabs are creatures that hide by day and come out at night. During the day they generally hide in sand or rock crevices. You must let the hermit crab feel safe, otherwise it may very likely self-harm or even kill itself in an excited state! The substrate chosen should be clean and eco-friendly, and should be disinfected and left for a few days so that parasites and some toxic substances inside evaporate and are killed off.
8. Seawater: The water used to keep hermit crabs cannot be tap water, as the chemicals in it will kill the hermit crab. Seawater is best. If you have no seawater, never add table salt to the water, because the salt we eat contains iodine, and iodine is poison to hermit crabs. The water should also be changed frequently.