How to Keep Hermit Crabs As Pets

I would say to anyone that is looking for an interesting and slightly different pet from the usual dog, cat, or rabbit, to look no further than hermit crabs. "Gee", I hear you say, "aren't those little fellows the ones that nip your toes if you accidentally tread on them on the beach?"
Well you may not be aware of this fact, but hermit crabs are fast growing in popularity as being exotic pets that are low maintenance and ideal for people with limited space and time on their hands. A couple of interesting things about these critters are that, firstly, unlike their name suggests, they are gregarious creatures who thrive better when kept in pairs or small colonies and secondly, they are not classed as "true" crabs because they do not have their own shell. They actually move into someone else's discarded shell, normally that of a snail, and carry it around to protect themselves from predators.
Making a home for your pet is relatively simple. You will need a plastic or glass tank, some sand, a heater and food and water bowls. These little critters love to explore and climb, so a couple of items such as an empty plant pot or piece of drift wood, will be much appreciated for climbing over and hiding in. You will also need a collection of shells in varying sizes, as once your crab begins to grow he will need a new and larger shell to move into. One word of warning though, be sure to keep a lid on top of your tank because these little critters are great masters of escapology, and you could be on your knees for hours searching for your little friends.
Feeding your crawly pet need not be a problem either, as you can get most of their requirements when you do the weekly supermarket shop. Basically they need a varied and nutritional diet made up of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit although, if you prefer, you can feed your crabs solely on specialist crab food from your local pet store. Having said all of this, however, your average pet crab loves nothing better than trying out new and exciting foods and will enjoy small treats of peanut butter, popcorn, grapes and raisins. One thing for sure - they are not picky eaters and will enjoy most foods. When serving your crab's favorite dish, just make sure the food is hard as he likes to munch and crunch.
Although they aren't usually cute and furry, they still make excellent pets for kids and can be handled with a bit of care to ensure they don't pinch. A great way of interacting with your pet is to remove them from their tank and then lay on the floor and encircle them with your arms. Then let them explore and climb onto your arms so you all get used to each other. Once you get to know them, they really are endearing little creatures.