This is a Coenobita Clypeatus hermit crab or commonly called Purple Pincher (PP) or Purple Claw crab. Purple pinchers are usually sold in Petcos, PetSmarts, and mall kiosks. They are the most common hermit crab in the United States.
Purple pinchers are a good choice for people who are new to keeping hermit crabs. This was the first kind of hermit crab that I got when I started crabbing. Purple Pinchers seem to be more hardy than other exotic hermit crabs.
If you’re thinking about getting a hermit crab, start with a small purple pincher. It may be tempting to get a jumbo hermit crab, but from my observations they tend to be more delicate and new hermit crab owners tend to be afraid to hold really big hermit crabs.
When you go shopping for your new hermit crab look for a crab that is active, has bright coloring, and comes out of its shell when you hold it. Usually you can hold the crab at the store. Hold on to the shell firmly with one hand and hold your other hand under the crab; do this over the tank and soft sand. If the hermit crab doesn’t come out of its shell right a way, gently blow warm air in the shell opening. This will usually relax the hermit crab and it will come out of its shell to greet you. Don’t be afraid when the hermit crab peeks out and don’t drop the crab, this could hurt it, especially if you are holding the hermit crab over a hard floor. Don’t let the sales clerk dunk the crab in cold water to force the hermit crab out of its shell, this just stresses the hermit crab out. After you have picked out your hermit crab or crabs (it’s better to get at least two, they are social) the sales clerk will usually put the crab in a box (Petco does this), ask them to put a moist paper towel in the bottom of the box.
When you get your new hermit crab home put it into its tank and let it explore and destress. Avoid handling your new hermit crab for a few weeks. Because hermit crabs have been taken from the wild, shipped, and then kept in stores in less than ideal conditions they are usually very stressed when you bring them home. Many times they will explore a new tank for a day and then bury themselves for weeks to destress. This is perfectly natural and you shouldn’t dig them up, they will come up when they’re ready. Sometimes when a hermit crab digs he will also molt. Molting is when a hermit crab sheds its exoskeleton like a snake; the hermit crab is growing. They will usually molt under the sand, but sometimes they surface molt. Depending on the size of your hermit crab they may be buried for up to 8 weeks while molting. I will write another article on hermit crabs molting in the near future.
You need to make sure that you have a good home for your new hermit crab. Often new hermit crab owners come home with their hermit crab in a Kritter Keeper or KK. This really isn’t suitable housing for your pet land hermit crab. Here is a list of the top 10 things you should have to setup your new hermit crab tank or crabitat.
Purple pincher hermit crabs can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, seafoods, grains, and other natural foods. Here are just a few foods that you can feed your hermit crabs: Meat and Fruit organic Baby Foods, Scrambled and Hard Boiled Eggs and Shells, Mango, Cherimoya, Grapes, Apples, Raisins, Golden Raisins, Coconut, Lettuce, Carrots, Celery, Broccoli, Green Bell Pepper, Green Leafy Veggies, Banana (red and yellow), Orange, Pineapple, Tomato, Grapes, Honeydew, Shrimp and Tails, Salmon, Raw Beef, Pork, Sardines, Chicken, Turkey, Almonds, Popcorn (treat), Quaker Oats, Oat Bran, Cheerios (treat) and Granola.
Natural herbs and flowers are also very good for hermit crabs, here are just a few that I feed to my crew: Spirulina, Rose Hips, Kelp, Bee Pollen, Flax Seed, Jasmin, Chamomile Flowers, Dandelion Leaf, Honeysuckle Flower.
Instead of buying commercial hermit crab food, here is a recipe for natural hermit crab food.
Epicureanhermit offers an extensive hermit crab food list; you will also find a list of foods that hermit crabs should not eat at the site.
Good luck and have fun with your new pet. Hermit crabs really are facinating to own and watch. If you need help with your new hermit crabs, the Hermit Crab Addiction has wonderful hermit crab care forums.
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