In: Food and Nutrition

For the outdoorsy hermit crab enthusiast we have compiled a list of foods that can be collected or harvested. It’s perfect to tuck into your backpack for easy reference. Please forage responsibly! Don’t over collect.  Respect all local, state and federal laws regarding wild foraging and collection. Sustainable Foraging “In addition to considering your own safety when foraging, it is also important to take a long-term view: sustainable foraging means remembering that you are not the only creature which may wish to make use of a given resource. For example, wild berries play an important role in birds’ diets. Whatever you take, leave plenty forRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

The basics of hermit crab feeding Most commercial hermit crab foods contain ethoxyquin and/or copper sulfate. Fish meal typically contains hidden ethoxyquin that is not required to be listed. Both ethoxyquin and copper sulfate are toxic to invertebrates. There are many things in your kitchen that your hermit crabs can eat also. The collages below made by Amber Miner show some of the more common food items you can safely feed to your hermit crabs. Here is a printable safe food list for feeding your hermit crabs: Safe Food List-A Generous List of Foods Your Hermit Crabs Can Safely Eat Hermit crabs require a nutritionallyRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Written by Julia Crab (Kerie Campbell) Saturday, 19 November 2005 Zeaxanthin is an important precursor to astaxanthin, the carotenoid crustaceans need most to regulate their body systems. If astaxanthin is hard to come by, then zeaxanthin is the substance that coenobita need most. Beta carotene, while a valuable carotenoid, is not used as efficiently by crabs and is not of as much dietary use as zeaxanthin is. The following lists are of zeaxanthin-containing foods. There are three lists, one each for foods containing high, moderate, and low or trace amounts of this important substance. They are partial and will be updated as new information comesRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Written by Julia Crab (Kerie Campbell) 2005Coconuts: A Really Tough Nut to Crack Yeah, these guys are tricky to open. But the fresh meat and milk inside are crab ambrosia. The best method for opening them is to employ an adult human male. Barring access to one of those, note the three depressions at one end of the coconut. These are the coconut’s eyes. An icepick, a chisel, or a strong slot head screwdriver placed firmly in the center of one of the eyes, and bashed firmly and repeatedly by a hammer will eventually reward those with perseverance. A drill or jigsaw can also beRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Written by Julia Crab (Kerie Campbell) August 2005 This list contains beneficial foods for hermit crabs that are moderate to high in beta carotene apricotsbell pepper of any color, red being the highest in carotenidsblueberriesbroccolicantaloupecarrotchardcilantro (raw)collard greensdandelion greens (raw)fava beans in the pod (raw)grape leaves (raw)lettuce (dark varieties, not iceburg which is nutritionally empty)mangopapayaparsley (raw)passionfruitpeachespeaspersimmonpineapplepumpkin and squash, and seeds (dried)snap beans (raw)spinachspirulinaseaweeds and microalgaessweet potato Astaxanthin is another carotenid found in shrimp and krill and red seaweeds, that the crabs also use. Astaxanthin must be fed with a healthy fat/oil to be absorbed properly. Tannin is also a color booster. Dried oak or sycamore leaves,Read More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Written by Vanessa Pike Russell 2004 I have done some research on colour enhancing foods and figuring out how to get crabs a certain colour.If you want really dark brown colour hermit crabs then give them lots of foods rich in tannins such as Brown Oak Leaves, Brown Oak Bark (pesticide free). This comes from Carol of CrabWorks. Her hermit crabs have been eating this since they were itty bitty crabbies, 28+ years ago! https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/tannins.shtml If you want orange hues that foods such as carrots, marigold petals have been known to create an increase in orange colour. Foods rich in Astaxanthin are what you areRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

Written by Julia Crab Monday, 01 August 2005 – this information has not been reviewed or updated but is maintained here for archival and reference purposes. What follows is a list of ingredients added to commercial and processed foods that may harm hermit crab health when fed. While I believe that these substances should be avoided, there is no actual scientific proof that these are harmful. This list is being compiled as a guide to dietary harm reduction. The key to good diet, in crabs, other pets, and people, is informed label reading. Anything enzyme modified *Anything fermented *Anything protein fortified *Ascorbyl PalmitateAutolyzed yeast *BarleyRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

written by Julia Crab (Kerie Campbell) 2005 If you’ve decided to get rid of commercial diet completely, and go natural, here is a list of the recommended human-grade beginner foods. These are the highest in nutrition and will make a good base for adding fresh fruit, vegetables and meat too. When you are ready to expand your knowledge of hermit crab nutrition check out the Hermit Crab Feeding Guide. Add a couple of the following dried flowers or flower products: Add some dried fruit (unsweetened and free of sulfur dioxide or other additives): If there is still room for more purchases, here is the list IRead More →

In: Food and Nutrition

These recipes were created by hermit crab foodie Kerie Campbell aka Julia Crab in 2005. There are endless food ideas but these may help get you started. We have more hermit crab food recipes submitted by others. Be sure to visit our Hermit Crab Feeding Guide to ensure you are using only safe ingredients. Fruity Fish & Flowers II dried calendula (about 2 tsp.)dried chamomile (about 1 tsp.)coconut chunklarge papaya chunkpink flame rose bud Kibble and place in the serving dish. Air-pop about 1 Tbl. amaranthshred some dulse1 Tbl. Flott tuna1 tsp rolled oatslarge pinch dandelion rootlarge pinch dried dandelion leaf. Kibble and place onRead More →

In: FAQ

Source: http://www.prestigepetproducts.com/WhatIsIt.htm Alfalfa meal: is the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, reasonably free of other crop plants, weeds and mold, which has been finely ground and dried by thermal means under controlled conditions other than sun curing. Alfalfa is an excellent source of phytochemicals and phytoestrogens and their antioxidant effect stimulates the immune system. Amaranth: is a seed plant which is a good alternative source of carbohydrate energy. Amaranth is a valuable carbohydrate ingredient with a unique flavor that compliments the flavor of barley, oats and rye. It is also high in linoleic acids, which are good for skin and coat. Chicken byproducts: consistRead More →