Sand Art Crafts

HELP!!!! (i need help on hermit crabs!!?

I need to know if you can put colored sand in my hermit crabs cage the colored sand is like craft sand, It's just dyed sand that is for crafts. Also I need some info about what Hermit crabs are like and what they eat, andwhat they need need,and how long they live, how big do they get? Suff like that. Thanks for all the help! Thanks

Public Comments

1. I'm definately no expert on hermit crabs, but I used to have four. I had little colored rocks for them, but my guess is the sand would be fine. Hermit crabs are pretty fun pets, just be gentle with them. I would go to a pet store, like Petsmart, and ask for hermit crab food. I'm not sure what it is made of but they don't eat much. Buy a small hermit crab bath/water dish at the store also, it's very small and they use it to sit in and drink water from it. Ask somebody who works at the store to help you. They don't get very big, at least the ones I had didn't. But be careful, they sometimes might pinch you and it can hurt. I'm not sure how long they are supposed to live, and I can't remember how long mine lived- I had them awhile ago. But good luck, and have fun!
2. Hi, hermit crabs eat anything, fruit, veggies are the best, it depends on what kind of crab to really know what they need. strawberry crabs need humidity like 80%, and salt water..sea salt. They need it to be hot too, they are from these types of climates, they don't like to live alone they get depressed. They molt, the sand (I use playsand is cheap) deep enough for them to completely bury themselves in for a successful molt, the sand should be like a sandcastle consistency..good luck
3. I used to have some and I recently also went to a hermit crab stand in the mall. At the stand, they gave the crabs painted sheels and little football helmets to live in. I am guessing this isn't the best care for a crab, but I also noticed none of the sand was colored. I am assuming this means that they knew colored sand would be very bad for them. I would go on the safe side and say no colored sand. I don't exactly remember what it was like, in the way of care, because I was about 4, and my parents were the ones who took care of them, but they need water and food (not sure what kind! SORRY!) of course......... I would be surprised if they live over a year...... Mine didn't...... In terms of size, they stay about the smae growing no larger then a small rock. Hope some of this helps, but also go online. Google hermit crab care, and take it from the people who actually know enough about them to make a website!!!!!!!!! THANKS!
4. Not knowing what was used to dye that sand I'm going to say no don't use it, as it could be harmful to the crabs. Here is a caresheet to help you take care of them Housing/Crabitat: no smaller than a 10 gallon glass tank, is preferable. A glass or plexiglass lid is also preferable, to keep proper temperature and humidity. Temperature: 74-78 degrees F (thermometer) Humidity: 70-80% relative (hygrometer) Substrate: Playsand, Forestbedding (Eco-Earth, Bed-a-Beast, etc). Moss and calcisand may also be added to the tank, however it is not recommended as a main substrate. Diet: Commercial crab foods, Vegetables (favorites include-carrots, lettuce, parsley, spinach, and corn), Fruits (favorites include-coconut, mango, apples, grapes, and pears), Meats (seafood, silversides and chicken are favorites), Grains, Peanut butter, eggs, seeds, algae and seaveggies. Please see http://www.epicureanhermit.com for a list of other edible foods. Purple pinchers need both fresh and salt water (dechlorinated & salt made with a good marine salt like Oceanic). Shells: Turbo, pica/magpie, Sharks eye. Shells with circular openings are favorites Molting: -Lethargic before and hyper after molting -Legs tend to be dry and ashy pre-molt -Will sometimes molt without a molt sac or other pre-molting symptoms -Are thirsty and hungry pre-molt and post-molt Other Characteristics: -Sweet/nice temperament -Love to climb -Love to crowd into piles -Not as active as other species such as the Es -Like to hide during the day and are most active at night -More willing to pinch if they feel threatened/scared -Love to change shells -Love to eat and climb on wood such as cholla/choya and corkbark
5. keep the sand moist...they like dried shrimp. give them a few shell to choose from. Clean your their tank regularly.