Compilation of information by Vanessa Pike-Russell and Stacy Griffith
To keep your hermit crabs healthy and happy their environment should be kept in optimum temperature and humidity levels. If you are not able to keep the environment stable then your crabs will weaken and become stressed which will lead to death. Hermit crabs are ectothermic creatures and must have a warmish and cooler side to their substrate. If your temperature falls below 75F on a frequent basis you need a reliable and safe method for heating your crabitat. Whatever type of under tank heater or other heating method you use, it is STRONGLY recommended that you buy a temperature control device such as a thermostat or rheostat. See some examples at the bottom of this page.
Sources of heating suitable for crabariums/crabitats are:
- Under tank heat mats/pads or strips – ideal solution
- Overhead lights – acceptable but challenging to maintain
- Ceramic heat emitter – acceptable but challenging to maintain
Note: Heat rocks are not considered safe for hermit crabs!
Here are some examples of suitable products you can use to heat your crabitat.
1Under-tank heaters AKA heat pads
A heat pad is the ideal solution for properly heating your crabitat. They provide even, consistent heat round the clock and can be paired with a thermostat to maintain exact temperatures. There are many types of under-tank heaters used with reptiles but you need to make sure your crabs do not overheat. For this reason we do not mount the heat pad under the tank despite it’s name. Heat pads are sold in a variety of sizes based on your tank size but those guidelines are often misleading. The heat pad should cover approximately 3/4 of the tank’s longest wall and should be mounted on the exterior side of the glass above the substrate line. The heat pad should keep the temperature stable between 75 (cool side) and 85 degrees (warmer side). Hermit crabs are cold blooded creatures and must have a warmish and cooler side to their substrate. To accomplish this you can place the heat pad all the way to either end or your tank. Your heat pad may need an exterior layer of insulation to help direct all the heat into the tank. Your local weather and home temperature will affect the efficiency of the heat pad so tweaks may be needed between seasons. In some circumstances it may be necessary to use a heat pad the covers the entire back wall. In this circumstance, the front wall of the tank becomes your cool zone. See the bottom of this article for a link to insulating products.
UTHs can be used on plastic tanks however, plastic tanks are not recommended for use as permanent crabitat!!
Heat pad or mats are available in multiple sizes. The type sold at most pet stores typically more expensive and the adhesive does not last very long.
The Ultratherm heat pads are a very nice quality at a lower price. These can easily be mounted with tape and additional insulation can be safely added if needed. Ultratherm heat pads are infrared and they work by heating objects and animals and NOT THE AIR. If your crabitat is devoid of decorations you will have trouble achieving optimal heat.
We strongly recommend you use a heat pad coupled with an overhead light to maintain the needed 12 hour day/night cycle.
Heat Strips or Tape are manufactured in the same way as mats. They are made narrower and are generally used to heat small boxes and the cages used for housing juvenile snakes and some other species. The principles of use are the same as those for mats and the same precautions should be exercised. In small enclosures the heat build up can be very quick. The temperature should be adequately monitored and controlled with a thermostat.
Ultratherm heat pad at Reptile Basics
Ultratherm heat pad at BeanFarm
When using Ultratherm heat pads it does not matter which side goes against the glass:
Insulation
Zoo Med discourages insulating their heat pads. However, many crabbers have done so safely by leaving gaps at the top and bottom of insulation to allow some airflow. Please educate yourself about potential hazards and proceed at your own risk.
Ultra Therm heat pads are safe to insulate.
Insulating products:
- Aluminum foil can help redirect heat into the tank
- Cardboard
- Foamboard
- Coroplast
- Reflectix
- Styrofoam Insulation
2. Lights
We do not recommend heating exclusively with overhead lights. It is challenging to maintain the proper environment with lights only. If you are in a region where heat pads are not available you can use an overhead heat light or heat emitter.
Heat lights and ceramic heat emitters are challenging to use as they burn off humidity. Neither are suggested for beginners.
Ceramic heat emitter can be used a stand alone heat source or in conjunction with other heat methods. No light is emitted. A 50 watt emitter is good for most crabitats. X-Large crabitats may need the 100 watt. Your emitter should be mounted at the top of your crabitat.
