tortoise and Hermit crab's?
- Thread starter Lilithlee
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Nope I have them in with my leo's
I had them with my Leo's and Greeks. Well as long as the temp/humidity requirements are the same it should be fine. I never had an issue with them.
I keep my hermit crabs in with my red foot. They seem to get along good together. I see them often together in the hide or eating side by side. As for the type, I just know they are a land hermit crab, one pincher is bigger than the other and they prefer a round opening to their shell.
OllieInAZ said:
Not much. Maybe really big crabs would pose a small risk to really small hatchling tortoises, or larger tortoises may chew on the crab's shell. But other than that they make great tankmates.
I got whatever that was at Petco.. I can't recall what they were I guess the typical brown or cherry ones. In terms of risk... eh maybe the crab might get eaten if your tort decides to be carnivorous but mine just ignored each other and sometimes eat together but other than that... nothing I saw. I used them as cleanup crew for stuff I didn't get, for the time I had them.
I don't know much about hermit crabs but what would they "clean up"? Is their diet the same?
Interesting. Thanks Jessica. I think my son will enjoy seeing that.
Jessicap said:
Wow very interisting, love finding out all these interesting tid bits...
A quick guide to hermit crabs as tortoise habitat mates...
The common pet store hermit crab, the Coenobita clypeatus, often called the 'purple pincher' is a nice companion for many species of tortoises, especially those with warm, humid habitats. (Note- some other species of land crabs NEED salt water and other more specialized cares.)
Mostly, you just add 3 or more of the crabs in the habitat and leave them alone. Crabs are fairly social so do better in groups. They will usually find hides and food in the tortoise habitat- mostly uneaten food and some droppings. If you have crabs as well, you may want to leave the tortoise's uneaten food in the habitat all evening or early night.
Hermit land crabs are nocturnal, usually coming out just before sundown. They hide in places like small crannys in the habitat, dug into the substrate, hiding in flower pots, etc. It is nice to make sure they have places they can sleep that the tortoises cannot get to them. When they are preparing to molt, they want to hide and stay hidden so they need a good place for this, like a flowerpot of sandy soil. My hermits often get into my potted plants and dig them up when hiding, so I either use cheap plants, or add some rocks to the top of the pot to keep them out.
The crabs also like to climb, so offer opportunities for this, but make sure they cannot escape. They also like trying and changing shells, so provide a few. If your crabs are showing no interest in the empty shells, try some others in a wider range of sizes.
They will drink by reaching into the water dish, so make sure it is easy for them to do so.
Crab vs tortoise interactions are fascinating to watch, but rather uncommon. Most often, the tortoise will try to bite/chew the shell, and occasionally snap at an outstretched limb. Occasionally, something will happen and I will see what looks like a tortoise wrestling a crab, but neither ever seems injured (and I've been doing this now for about 3 years). If a tortoise ever DID eat a crab, I would count it as a snack.
I've never had a crab injure a tortoise, but I am sure it could happen if the crab is big and the tort is small.
Overall, they add another layer of interest in the habitat. They are also a primitive species and interesting to watch on their own. It is fascinating to watch them climb into the oddest places, and negotiate places you would swear they could not fit.
The common pet store hermit crab, the Coenobita clypeatus, often called the 'purple pincher' is a nice companion for many species of tortoises, especially those with warm, humid habitats. (Note- some other species of land crabs NEED salt water and other more specialized cares.)
Mostly, you just add 3 or more of the crabs in the habitat and leave them alone. Crabs are fairly social so do better in groups. They will usually find hides and food in the tortoise habitat- mostly uneaten food and some droppings. If you have crabs as well, you may want to leave the tortoise's uneaten food in the habitat all evening or early night.
Hermit land crabs are nocturnal, usually coming out just before sundown. They hide in places like small crannys in the habitat, dug into the substrate, hiding in flower pots, etc. It is nice to make sure they have places they can sleep that the tortoises cannot get to them. When they are preparing to molt, they want to hide and stay hidden so they need a good place for this, like a flowerpot of sandy soil. My hermits often get into my potted plants and dig them up when hiding, so I either use cheap plants, or add some rocks to the top of the pot to keep them out.
The crabs also like to climb, so offer opportunities for this, but make sure they cannot escape. They also like trying and changing shells, so provide a few. If your crabs are showing no interest in the empty shells, try some others in a wider range of sizes.
They will drink by reaching into the water dish, so make sure it is easy for them to do so.
Crab vs tortoise interactions are fascinating to watch, but rather uncommon. Most often, the tortoise will try to bite/chew the shell, and occasionally snap at an outstretched limb. Occasionally, something will happen and I will see what looks like a tortoise wrestling a crab, but neither ever seems injured (and I've been doing this now for about 3 years). If a tortoise ever DID eat a crab, I would count it as a snack.
I've never had a crab injure a tortoise, but I am sure it could happen if the crab is big and the tort is small.
Overall, they add another layer of interest in the habitat. They are also a primitive species and interesting to watch on their own. It is fascinating to watch them climb into the oddest places, and negotiate places you would swear they could not fit.
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Very interesting..
Any pic to share?
Thanks!
Any pic to share?
Thanks!
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