Which Species of Hermit Crab Make The Best Pets
Author: Tod Schaffer
Did you know that there are over 500 identified species of hermit crab, made up of both land and marine, in the world today? However, only a handful of these are suitable for pets! It is generally considered that land types make the best pets and of the fifteen land going species of this type, only three of these are suited to life in captivity. If you are wondering which of these adorable little critters is the right land species for you, then here is some information that might help!
Coenobita Clypeatus or Caribbean crab
This
version of the little crawlies is also affectionately known as the "purple pincher" due to its distinct purple colored claw. In the wild they are found further inland than that of other crabs. In fact they have been known to burrow and hide under the roots of large trees. They are foragers by nature and will eat anything that comes their way including leftovers from humans. Although originally from the Caribbean, this version of the little critters can be found on the southern shores of Florida. They grow up to around 3" long and they each have a different personalities. For example, some like to play and be handled, whilst some are not as active. If you get a healthy one, and they are happy in their environment, they have been known to live for 30 years and there have been reports of one living up to 40 years.
Coenobita Compressus or Ecuadorian crab
This version of the little critters is also known as the pacific version of the little critter and is believed to be one of the smallest of the species, being only around 12mm in length. They vary greatly in color. Some are a tan color whilst others are bright orange and yellow. This Ecuadorian version is slightly more susceptible to changes in its climate so is maybe not as hardy as the Caribbean version of the little guys. Although having said this, it is still possible for this version of the little critters to live for 23 years if kept in the right conditions. The Ecuadorian version of the crab also needs salt water in its environment for washing and drinking. Although small, it is more nimble on it's feet and can outrun the purple pincher any time.
Coenobita Variabilis Or Australian land crab
As you have probably guessed this version of the little critters is native to Australia. They tend to vary greatly in size, somewhere between a tennis ball and a pea. They too forage for food and are seriously active scavengers. So if your Variabilis escapes from the aquarium it will probably be heading straight for the trash can. Their color can range from red to cream to brown. The Australian version is incredibly social and is almost never seen alone, often living in colonies of over 100 strong. Because of an abundance of these little critters, there is no shortage of these in pet stores up and down Australia.
Hopefully this has given you an insight into which species of hermit crab makes the right pet for you. Each one is different and each has its own personality so make sure that you do your homework and you will find that being a "crabber" can be a very rewarding experience, as these little critters sure have a lot to give!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/which-species-of-hermit-crab-make-the-best-pets-3201341.html
About the Author
Tod Schaffer is a Hermit Crab enthusiast who has vast experience of raising Hermit Crabs. For more information about Species Of Hermit Crab, Visit Hermit Crab Center.