| The Different Species of Hermit Crabs are really | | | | Crab can also be found in places like the Atlantic, |
| fascinating. Did you ever imagine, this is a unique | | | | Florida, Bahamas, Belize, Venezuela, the West Indies |
| creature that always moves with its home - a shell. | | | | and the Virgin Islands. The crabs require ideal weather |
| Hermits pick up shells and get into it for protection. | | | | conditions to survive. The relative humidity level should |
| Thereafter, the crab remains within it till the time it | | | | be maintained between 70% and 78%. They also |
| almost outgrows the shell. Once the crab is big enough, | | | | require temperature levels of 24°C (75°F) to |
| it discards this shell and moves into another shell. The | | | | survive. |
| world of Hermit - crabs is really fascinating. | | | | The most interesting part of their lives is their shells. |
| Hermit crabs come in various breeds. The most | | | | The crab gets into a shell to protect itself. Then it uses |
| common breed to be found in the US is the Caribbean | | | | the large pincher at the entrance to deter predators. |
| hermit crab. Its biological name is Coenobita clypeatus. | | | | Empty shells of land snails are used. These little crabs |
| It is also called by different names like the West | | | | are very particular about the use of shells. They first |
| Atlantic crab, the tree crab, the soldier crab. However | | | | use the claw to check out the shell and see if it is |
| its most popular name is the purple pincher. It gets this | | | | empty and clean. Crabs also change shells till the time |
| name from its color and its strong sting of its purple | | | | they find the perfect one. There are also severe fights |
| claw. | | | | over rights for a shell. |
| Physical Appearance | | | | Food |
| Caribbean Hermit crabs are in different shades of | | | | Caribbean hermit crabs are omnivorous. They eat |
| color varying from a pale red to a dark brown or | | | | dead organisms, fish, other crabs or leftovers. They |
| burgundy. They have oval shape eyes with round | | | | eat commercial foods in captivity including fruits, |
| eyestalks. These crabs have a short and fat abdomen | | | | vegetables, coconuts and most other fruits. Spinach is |
| which is made of soft tissues unlike crabs. The | | | | also very popular. |
| appendages include four walking legs and four tiny | | | | As pets |
| legs. The main weapons of the crab are a large purple | | | | Caribbean hermit crabs make very fine pets. Never |
| pincher and a small pincher. | | | | buy a single crab. Try to adopt two or more crabs. |
| The Caribbean crab lives on land but has gills. The | | | | They will be happier in captivity. You must take special |
| creature requires humid air to keep its gill wet and | | | | care when the crabs are molting. The creature can be |
| functioning. | | | | very much stressed while molting. For smaller crabs, |
| Habitat of the Caribbean hermit Crab | | | | molting could be frequent. Bigger crabs will molt once in |
| The crabs get their name from the place of their origin, | | | | 12 to 18 months. You must first create a proper habitat |
| the Caribbean Island. Known to be one of the finest | | | | at home before getting the crabs. So go ahead and |
| tropical destinations in the world, the Caribbean Island | | | | start planning. It will be worth the effort. |
| enjoy warm tropical climate. The Caribbean Hermit | | | | |