|
|
Feeding
Hermit Crabs
Hermit
crabs have a fairly different diet in captivity, to what they
do in the wild. The obvious reason for this, is that we are
unable to stimulate the food occuring in their natural habitat:
by the sea. They would usually eat washed up plants, decaying
meat and fecal matter, rotting wood, rotting fruits, and many
other things.
Crabs
can be fed just about anything, but there are some definite
requirements they need in their diet. Calcium is needed for
growth of the hermit crab. Carotene is also a vital part of
their diet, and a crab low in carotene will go a very light
grey in colour, as opposed to orange/light red.
Being
omnivores, crabs will eat most things, meat matter and vegetable
matter. The variety can consit of meats, to vegetables, to
fish, to fruit, and anything in between. There is not really
anything crabs can't eat, but try and stay away from atrifical
foods, and stick with natural, or organic matter. If you are
wild collecting any of the food, make sure they have been
collected away from any pesticides, or other pollution (car
fumes, etc).
|
Pre-made
crab food can be purchased from stores, however, this is not neccassary.
It can be a lot more interesting to make your own mixtures to feed
crabs, and you can then gain an idea of what your crab likes, and
dislikes.
Calcium
can be provided in the form of a cuttle bone. This will need to
be cut up into small chunked, although not as fine as power. Rice,
oatmeal and plankton can also be fed to help maintain a strong body,
even better, all of these mixed into one. This can then be put straight
into the enclosure, and will soon be nibbled on.
The
occasional treat can be given to your crabs as well. These can include
nuts, sugary foods, raw meats, cereals, crackers, raisins, junk
food (chips, fish fingers, etc), and peanut butter, which seems
to be a favourite! Keep these in small amounts, and only feed on
an occasion.
|
Shopping
cart
