Please be advised that there is an error on the printable feeding guide. The version on the website has been updated. Please update your copy. REMOVE CANOLA OIL. Canola oil is not safe. We apologize for the error.Read More →
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 an effort to simplify feeding for hermit crab owners we have put together a few printable hermit crab food guides. These should be used in conjunction with our safe and unsafe lists. *Nutritional Guide *Foraging Guide *Where to Buy Guide *What to Feed and Why Guide ****The files can be downloaded at the bottom of the article.**** Safe Food list you can print: https://docs.google.com/document/d/113toruv4u7NJxPYdM8-xVXZ7W4duiC54EvKqrh33-pY/edit?usp=sharing If you have additions or corrections for any of these guides or other food lists please send them to crabstreetjournal@gmail.com As we don’t allow commenting due to spammers. Additional food related articles: Safe and Unsafe WoodEdible FlowersWhat Foods are GoodRead More →
Written by Julia Crab 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 comes in. FeedRead More →
Written by Julia Crab 2005 Coconuts: 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 be employedRead More →
Written by Julia Crab Sunday, 07 August 2005 This list contains foods that are moderate to high in beta carotene: apricots bell pepper of any color, red being the highest in carotenids blueberries broccoli cantaloupe carrot chard cilantro (raw) collard greens dandelion greens (raw) fava beans in the pod (raw) grape leaves (raw) lettuce (dark varieties, not iceburg which is nutritionally empty) mango papaya parsley (raw) passionfruit peaches peas persimmon pineapple pumpkin and squash, and seeds (dried) snap beans (raw) spinach spirulina seaweeds and microalgaes sweet potato Astaxanthin is another carotenid found in shrimp and krill and red seaweeds, that the crabs also use. TanninRead More →
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 youRead More →
written by 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. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (olive oil will do in a pinch) for cooking eggs, etc.Hemp seed meal (very high in HUFAs, and extremely nutritious)Spirulina (if you can get only one algae product, this alone can just aboutreplace commercial diet)Rooibos (high in many nutrients, and vitamin C)Dandelion leaf and rootFlax seed or seed mealRed raspberry leaf Add aRead More →
Unfortunately I have no indications as to who may have created this list though I suspect the list came from Kerie Campbell. I know there are endless food ideas but these may help get you started. Fruity Fish & Flowers II dried calendula (about 2 tsp.) dried chamomile (about 1 tsp.) coconut chunk large papaya chunk pink flame rose bud Kibble and place in the serving dish. Air-pop about 1 Tbl. amaranth shred some dulse 1 Tbl. Flott tuna 1 tsp rolled oats large pinch dandelion root large pinch dried dandelion leaf. Kibble and place on top of the fruit dish, sort of a reverse-chutney.Read More →
Hermit Crabs are beach scavengers and they can and will eat a wide range of things. General rules: Avoid chemicals, pesticides, table salt, moldy foods, plants that are toxic to animals. For hermit crab nutritional needs and the foods that provide them, download the nutritional food chart as a PDF by clicking in the gray box below. Written by Kerie Campbell Fruits – Fresh or Wrinkly? I’ve read a lot about fresh fruits being in their diets, which I use a lot of BTW. But I’ve read a lot about people putting in fruits that are old and wrinkling up. Is one better than theRead More →