Hermit crabs are very understanding when it comes to their caregivers going on vacation--unless it is for more than one week. If you wish to vacation for longer than 7 days, please find a friend or relative who would be willing to provide care for your crabs while you're gone. Leave them with detailed written instructions and give them our website address to consult in case of emergency or for more information.
If you're planning to be gone for 1-7 days, here's what to do to keep your hermit crabs happy while you're gone:
WATER DISH DEPTH - If your water dish is shallow (to prevent the drowning of a small crab), it's likely to evaporate in 1-3 days--so limit yourself to a short vacation. If you can't, then place several sponges in the tank that are partially covered in plastic bags so that moisture will be retained longer. Make sure they are accessible to the crabs and remember that sponges alone do NOT provide an adequate drinking source. Larger crabs who can safely handle deeper dishes will allow you to be away for as much as 7 days.
FOOD DISH - Make sure the food dish is well-stocked with LOTS of dry commerical hermit crab food. Fresh foods will spoil quickly, so avoid them at this time. Typically, after 7 days, even dry commercial hermit crab food will begin to spoil and will need to be replaced. In 7 days, our sloppy hermit crab friends can often fill their food dishes with sand.
"CLUMPY" SAND - Make sure the sand in the crabs' tank has retained enough moisture to be slightly clumpy. This will ensure the burrowing success of a crab who may molt while you're gone.
SHELLS - Leave plenty of extra shells available in case a shell fight should ensue during your absence. This precaution may make the difference between life and death for a naked crab that needs to find cover.
If you must travel with your hermit crabs, remember that airlines will not allow you to take cold-blooded animals into the cabin. Hermit crabs will have to be secured in a suitable container and checked as live animals for the pet area under the plane. Hermit crabs will feel most secure if they are holding onto wire mesh that is secured into a cage. A moist sponge should be placed in the cage, although I'm fairly certain your hermit crabs will be too nervous to eat or drink during the flight.
If you live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania and would like your hermit crabs baby-sat, I would be happy to do so for free or very inexpensively. Please email me at HermitCrabHappy@hotmail.com
If you're planning to be gone for 1-7 days, here's what to do to keep your hermit crabs happy while you're gone:
WATER DISH DEPTH - If your water dish is shallow (to prevent the drowning of a small crab), it's likely to evaporate in 1-3 days--so limit yourself to a short vacation. If you can't, then place several sponges in the tank that are partially covered in plastic bags so that moisture will be retained longer. Make sure they are accessible to the crabs and remember that sponges alone do NOT provide an adequate drinking source. Larger crabs who can safely handle deeper dishes will allow you to be away for as much as 7 days.
FOOD DISH - Make sure the food dish is well-stocked with LOTS of dry commerical hermit crab food. Fresh foods will spoil quickly, so avoid them at this time. Typically, after 7 days, even dry commercial hermit crab food will begin to spoil and will need to be replaced. In 7 days, our sloppy hermit crab friends can often fill their food dishes with sand.
"CLUMPY" SAND - Make sure the sand in the crabs' tank has retained enough moisture to be slightly clumpy. This will ensure the burrowing success of a crab who may molt while you're gone.
SHELLS - Leave plenty of extra shells available in case a shell fight should ensue during your absence. This precaution may make the difference between life and death for a naked crab that needs to find cover.
If you must travel with your hermit crabs, remember that airlines will not allow you to take cold-blooded animals into the cabin. Hermit crabs will have to be secured in a suitable container and checked as live animals for the pet area under the plane. Hermit crabs will feel most secure if they are holding onto wire mesh that is secured into a cage. A moist sponge should be placed in the cage, although I'm fairly certain your hermit crabs will be too nervous to eat or drink during the flight.
If you live near Lancaster, Pennsylvania and would like your hermit crabs baby-sat, I would be happy to do so for free or very inexpensively. Please email me at HermitCrabHappy@hotmail.com
Your hermit crabs will miss you while you're on vacation! Although they can take care of themselves while you're gone, you'll need to make sure that their food won't disappear and that their water won't evaporate.
