What can I feed a hermit crab?

What do they need to eat to be healthy? We are not exactly sure of hermit crabs' exact nutritional requirements, but much progress is being made. For example, we now know that hermit crabs require calcium, carotene and antioxidants just like people do. read more

Hermit crabs can eat pretty much any kind of fruit! However, some fruits have pits or seeds that are toxic- these should be checked on the list above of inedible foods. THE CITRUS MYTH: It’s “common knowledge” among many crab owners that citrus fruits such as oranges are fatal to hermit crabs. read more

In the wild, land hermit crabs eat a wide variety of foods: fallen fruit, decaying wood, leaf litter, plants and grasses, and items washed ashore by the tide. They are not fussy eaters by nature and have even been observed eating poop! Hermit crabs locate food in two ways, by smelling it and by seeing other crabs eating. read more

Since hermit crabs are game to try anything, you should be cautious of what you put in Sheldon's crabitat. Although pretty, painted shells can be dangerous for crabs; eventually the paint will chip off and he may ingest the flakes. You may want to keep some commercial hermit crab food on hand to ensure he gets the nutrition he needs. read more