Description: A colorful land crustacean from Costa Rica that lives in burrows along river banks. They forage up and down the shoreline and through the leaf litter at night and must occasionally enter the water to keep their gills wet. Larger crabs can deliver a painful pinch and take their time letting go so use care when handling them. They can live more than 3 years but most do not get the proper care to last very long.

Temperature: About 75°F - 80°F.

Humidity: About 75%. The substrate should be kept moist at all times.

Lighting: UV is not important. A regular day/night cycle with a dim night light for viewing nocturnal activities works the best.

Feeding: In the wild they forage for plant and animal mater and will scavenge dead animals. Hermit crab food, available in many pet stores, is a good staple food but a variety of other items should be offered including fish food, raw sea foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and even grass. They love to tear up veggies. Fresh water, at least deep enough to submerse in, must be available at all times. This is to replenish the small amount they must carry inside to keep their gills wet. A dish of sea water should be provided a few times a week to help keep them healthy.

Habitat: A 10 gallon tank will work for 1 or 2 crabs. A river bank with enough moist, fine sand to dig burrows in and a 1 to 3" deep water area is preferred by the crabs. A simpler set up could utilize short pieces of 2" plastic pipe buried in the sand as artificial burrows. Add a fairly deep water dish that they can easily get in and out of.

Breeding: A simulated ocean with plankton is needed.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna