Do Hermit Crabs Have Personalities?
We all know that cats and dogs each have their own distinctive personalities, as do rabbits and birds, but did you know that hermit crabs also have diversified personalities?
Not only that, but they can show affection as well!
The key to allowing their personalities to shine through is by giving them time outside of their habitat and letting them explore.
In my case, I would let mine out in the family room with the door shut to make sure they wouldn’t get lost in the rest of the house and to be sure there were no other pets in the room.
I had four at the time, and each one enjoyed their free time when they could crawl around and explore their surroundings. Two of mine, Chester and Crusty, were quite the explorers.
- Chester stayed rather close but crawled all around me.
- Crusty would travel all around the room at a quick pace as if he were getting his exercise for the day while checking out every nook and cranny. He probably would have stayed out all day on his own if I hadn’t put him back in his habitat.
- My third one, Sammy, didn’t care much for exploring but loved to climb up and down my arm several times before settling on my shoulder. I felt that this was his way of being affectionate. He also loved it when I held him in my hand and talked to him.
- Then there was Hermie, who was my favorite. Each time I would let him out, he would immediately crawl on top of my left foot and wait for me to walk around the room. He was my hitchhiking hermit crab. I felt like he was a famous explorer, and I was the ship he was navigating.
Hermit Crabs as Pets
If considering getting some hermit crabs as pets, be sure to research what you need to provide them with for a proper habitat, including a suitable-sized enclosure, food, bedding, proper temperature, extra shells, etc.
Because these are social creatures, it’s best not to get only one, as a single hermit crab can become quite lonely.
I was lucky that all four of mine got along, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes they can fight with each other, so it’s best to observe them for a while before picking any out.
Remember, one of the keys to their happiness is being able to get out of their enclosure and not only spend time with you but be able to explore their surroundings. It’s best to keep some toys in their enclosure and also on the floor when you let them out to play.
Hermit crabs love to climb and hide, so I suggest items like rocks, small tree branches, and empty toilet paper rolls. Just be sure that nothing you put out is chemically treated. The more fun they have, the more you will see their personalities shining through!
So, what kind of pets do you have and would you ever consider having hermit crabs as pets?