Hermit crabs make an unusual and very interesting classroom pet.  But don’t let the hermit crab’s name fool you – they are not “hermits” but prefer the company of other “hermies” to be at their happiest.  In the wild, hermit crabs travel in packs of up to 100 crabs.  One of the reasons hermit crabs need to be around other crabs is because it provides possibilities for new homes as they switch shells.

The best habitat for your classroom hermit crabs is a spacious aquarium big enough to hold food and water dishes, extra shells and things for your crabs to climb on.  There should also be some open space for roaming.  The bottom of the habitat should be covered with clean sand or coconut fiber substrate.

Hermit crabs are a great addition to your science curriculum.  These crabs require their water to be treated with a dechlorinizer that can easily be purchased in the aquarium section of your pet supply store.  A sponge or small stones can be added to the water dish so that smaller crabs don’t drown in the dish.  Hermit crabs require consistent temperatures and humidity, so you may want to add a shallow dish of water with a natural sponge in it to create a more humid habitat.  You can actually purchase a humidity gauge, which should always show at least 70% humidity.

Cholla wood, coral, and specially designed elements for hermit crab habitats are all needed to provide an enjoyable and interesting habitat for your crabs.