Hermit+crab

 // Coenobita spp. // Order: Decapoda


 * SPECIAL NOTE: There are sustainability concerns with this species - see the acquisition section below for more detail. **

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Housing Requirements

 * This species is frequently kept as a pet and usually housed in aquariums with sand substrate. Substrate needs to be deep enough to facilitate molting. Hermit crabs need a temperature gradient and relatively high levels of humidity to thrive. It can be difficult to maintain those parameters and while hermit crabs can live up to 30 years in the wild, many do not make it past 1 year in captivity because of the challenge of providing the right microclimate.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


=__Acquisition Information__= Although species can be purchased from scientific supply companies, pet shops and companies that provide other aquarium livestock, please keep in mind that hermit crabs are unsustainably collected from the wild. One organization is working on captive propagation but it is complex and may be a while before captive bred hermit crabs are available. For this reason, each institution should decide on their comfort with participating in a currently unregulated trade that is reducing the populations of wild hermit crabs.

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=__Natural History Information__=

Threats and Conservation Status
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 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//