Hermit Crab Cost

Typical costs:

• Hermit crabs mainly range in price according to size and species. Prices range from $2 to $45.
• They come in four basic sizes: tiny, medium, large and jumbo. A tiny crab is about the size of a quarter and typically costs under $5. Mediums are about the size of a golf ball. Larges are the size of a tennis ball. Jumbos are about the size of a baseball.
• One of the most popular, the Purple Pincher, has reddish purple skin and large claws and ranges in price from $10 to $45 at HermitCrabPatch.com^[1] .

• Common pet species include the Caribbean, the Ecuadorian, the Strawberry and the Purple Pincher. Hermit crabs are social, and enthusiasts recommend having more than one crab in a tank. Hermit crabs live about 10 years. Captive crabs do not breed.
• Hermit crabs have a soft abdomen with a hooked tail to grab onto a shell. They also have claws and can pinch but typically don't. Hermit crabs "move" from one shell to another often.
• Another curious behavior of hermit crabs is the molting process. About every year to two years, the crab will shed its outer skeleton and grow a new one. To do this, they will bury into the sand and be there for about a month. It's a good idea to have an isolation area ready in the tank, as crabs need to be alone and safe for this process.
• Visit HermitCrabAssociation.com^[2] for a bounty of information on the hermit crab.

• Food. Hermit crab food comes in cans or in pellets and costs about $3 for six ounces, or a supply that lasts two weeks to one month. Also needed are a food dish, a water bowl for salted water and another with plain, dechlorinated, water. A dechlorinator costs about $5, as do the bowls.
• Habitat. Get an aquarium that is at least 10 gallons or larger and that has a tight fitting lid. Glass works best. An aquarium costs between $30 and $50. Adorn the aquarium with places to hide and toys, these will be available for around $10 each. Sand can be purchased for $3.50 to $15.
• Temperature and Humidity. A light bulb or heating source costs $12 to $20. Keep an eye on the humidity level -- it should be 70 percent -- with a hygrometer, which costs about $5.
• Extra shells. Keep at least two extra shells per crab for the crab to move to. Shells cost between $2 and $20, depending on the look and size. Some are decorated with a carved image or painted. SeaShellCity.com^[3] is recommended by the online hermit crab community.

• Buy sand in bulk at a hardware store. A 50-pound bag at the Home Depot costs about $5.
• Buy a ready-made kit for between $16 and $75. Kits typically include an aquarium, some foliage, sand and a hiding place. PetSmart.com^[4] offers one for $35.

• There are a number of online communities for hermit crab owners. LandHermitCrabs.com^[5] has a variety of information and active forums; it requires registration and signing in to view and post.
• Petco provides a care sheet^[6] on hermit crabs.

1.  www.hermitcrabpatch.com/Live-Pet-Hermit-Crabs-s/6.htm
2.  www.hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/index.php
3.  www.seashellcity.com/crabs/crabshells_1.html
4.  www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753345
5.  www.landhermitcrabs.com/
6.  www.petco.com/CareSheets/petco_CareSheets.aspx

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