How to Pick Toys for Pet Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs do enjoy playing and will need toys to keep themselves entertained. When putting toys into your crab's aquarium be sure to leave enough space between the toys and the walls so they can safely pass through without getting stuck.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Provide several climbing toys. Hermit crabs love to climb. Good climbing toys include coral, driftwood and fake plants. You can also put a pile of rocks into the aquarium for the crabs to climb on.

2. Remember their need to burrow and hide. Another way that hermit crabs like to play is by hiding inside of things. A hallowed out log makes a great hiding toy for a hermit crab.

3. Choose toys that are easy to clean. Clean your crab's toys every time that you clean their cage.

4. Change the toys that are in the cage on a regular basis for variety. Hermit crabs can get bored with their toys and lose interest.

5. Make a swimming pool and put it in your hermit crab's aquarium for a fun and interesting toy. Be sure the pool is shallow enough that the crab can not drown. They do not swim, but they do enjoy soaking in water.

6. Try different items around your house to see which toys catch your crab's interest. Small balls and blocks often make great toys for hermit crabs.

7. Check the reptile section of your local pet store to get some new ideas for hermit crab toys. Toys sold for lizards are usually interesting for hermit crabs too.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to take your hermit crab out of the aquarium to play with his toys, put him on a smooth clean surface, not on the carpet. Carpets have dust mites and dust mites can be harmful for hermit crabs.