The Post Purchase Stress death cycle created by Mary Milhorn

In: General
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Currently we use the blanket term PPS as a way of explaining why hermit crabs die so soon after purchase. PPS or Post Purchase Stress The use of the word stress has always bothered me as it implies a mental or emotional state of mind. Really the method is designed to reduce post purchase death due to physical stress on the hermit crab’s body due to lack of care prior to coming home with you. I also don’t like the term ‘destress’. Really it should be more like recuperate or recover. I would like to move away from using the term destress. It again impliesRead More →

In: FAQ
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We all go on vacation  or have to be away from home for an extended period at some point. Your hermit crabs will need someone to check on them at least once during a seven day absence. Ideally someone can check on them every other day but not everyone is able to arrange a regular check in. Be sure to write up an instruction sheet for your pet sitter. Include a link to this website, our emergency form and even our Facebook group so that we can help them if they need us. If your sitter isn’t a crab keeper they may have trouble rememberingRead More →

In: General
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The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society and the Crabstreet Journal encourage education before rescue. If petstores do not improve their hermit crab habitats more hermit crabs will die needlessly. Buying hermit crabs from poor conditions does not help the next batch of hermit crabs the store will order. Help us educate petstores about proper care for hermit crabs. We have put together a letter of introduction, price list and shopping list for hermit crab owners to present or mail to petstore owners and managers. For more information on working with petstores check out Re-Educate before Rescue The letter is a Word document that will allow youRead More →

In: General
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Marie Davis writes about moulting and her crabbing method: On June 17, 2000, we had the privilege of becoming hermie owners. My daughters received their first ones as souvenirs from somebody who had visited Ocean City, Maryland. My daughters, nor I, had any idea as to how to care for them properly. For this reason, I had gone to the library for books to read, to research on the internet, and I asked questions at pet stores. There was information on hermit crab care, and yet so much of it varied depending on which pet store we visited, which web site we were reading, orRead More →

In: Caresheets
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Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell After your crabitat is set up you will have to maintain it and your crabs. Below you will find a list of what tasks should be done daily, weekly and monthly. Daily o Refill fresh water dish and the ocean water pond o Empty and clean the food dish (no chemicals) o Offer a different food each day o Check the relative humidity level is 70- 80% o Check that your temperature zones are 75F on the cool end and 85F on the warm end (or within this min/max safe range). Weekly o Clean the bowls and dishes (without chemicals) oRead More →

In: Caresheets
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This recipe can be modified, made stronger for use with very sick crabs, although this strength is fine for more minor cases! General wash for injured crabs: 1 Tbsp. Marshmallow root shaved 1 Tbsp. myrrh powder 1 Tbsp. calendula (marigold) 1 Tbsp. whole chamomile flowers (not powdered) First, you’ll need to make a decoction. Take one quart of water, and heat it over the stove to near boiling. Add one tablespoon marshmallow root, and one tablespoon myrrh. Cover, and simmer for thirty minutes. Remove from heat. Add one tablespoon calendula flowers (marigold) and one tablespoon whole chamomile flowers. Cover immediately again. Let sit until cool,Read More →