"I've Got a Big Bag of Crabs Here..."

[psalm_onethirtyone]

I have a hermit crab!

...which means, of course, that I have spent the last hour looking at websites obsessively, because I have no idea of what proper hermit crab care is. He has a 10 gallon tank with about two inches of sand, a dish of bottled water and a sponge, a dish with foods (I bought crab food at the store, but I put some peanut butter in too because all the sites I checked said they really super like peanut butter), two extra shells, and a box for him to crawl under, because all the sites say that they like to have a hidey-spot.

I also covered it with cardboard and a wet paper towel to try and make/trap humidity, since all the sites also have humidity in like all caps and glittery text and everything. The problem is I know nothing about how to gauge humidity, so I will probably have to cave and get a gauge or something, as soon as I can find somewhere that sells them. Maybe Dani would consider driving me to State College or somewhere they have fancy pet stores that are open on the weekend.

Any advice would be extremely welcome.

His name is Percivale, because he's a hermit in the desert, and during the day he was really, really active, but he got very quiet at night. He's also more active when he's sitting on me, which I think is because I have a higher body temperature and so that makes him feel more alert. I'm worried about him getting too cold--I made sure our window is closed, because it's been frosting at night, and our dorms aren't that well-heated. I'm not sure whether it would be okay to turn the lamp on at him or not.

He's so beautiful! And so curious, and he loves climbing. He also loves my watch, he finds it really fascinating. Everything says that hermit crabs like to play, so to-morrow I'm going to try to find maybe some things for him to play with, like non-piney wood and stuff. Also, apparently they like grass. So I will bring him some grass.

He's the first thing that's made me feel alive this whole week. Which I realise, and I'm going to try not to pin too many hopes and dreams. But I've been so miserable and sick and my anxiety and depression have been so much worse, but I feel better by just stacks when I'm playing with him.

I really hope he's warm enough. Maybe I'll fiddle with the thermostat, not that it ever does any good.

Comments

[nowgoesquickly.livejournal.com]

HERMIT CRAB. ♥♥♥♥♥

He sounds simply delightful, and it sounds like you're going to be an excellent crabkeeper. You should post pictures of you both!

[little-lady-d.livejournal.com]

oh i am full of so much love for this creature. percivale. <3

[watchcry.livejournal.com]

This makes me so happy :) I've been really awful worried about you all week but didn't know what to say. <3

[http://users.livejournal.com/_grayswandir_/]

Eee, hermit crab! He sounds adorable. :) I know nothing about hermit crabs, and would never in a million years have guessed that they like peanut butter o_O That's just crazy.

I'll ask my sister if she knows anything about humidity/light/etc. for hermit crabs. I'm not sure whether they sell them at PetSmart, but if they do, there's probably someone at her work who'll know about that stuff.

[the-chloroplast.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you're feeling better! the store kat and i went to had good thermometers and humidity thingers, but really any pet supply shop ought to. big hug!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

♥ what store did you guys go to?

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Are you kidding? It's inevitable. XD He is such a doll, Caitlin!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

He's so lovely!

Only all the websites say he needs a friend, and I'm not sure that my tank is big enough--that has me a little worried.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

♥ (I think everyone has. it's been a dramatically bad week. But I'm taking my pills again now, and I ate yesterday, too.)

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

He's such a charmer! --I know right? Also, apparently, apples. I have so much to try!

Thank you!

[reconditarmonia.livejournal.com]

eeeee!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

I knowww!

[watchcry.livejournal.com]

YAY. <3333

[azurai.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love hermit crabs! I used to have two, L/Gary and Shelly, and I really loved taking care of them- they needed a lot more work than my cat.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Then you're a perfect person to ask for advice! What do they need to be happy?

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

♥

[random-prophet.livejournal.com]

HERMIT CRAB! I will have to see it.

...of course for some reason when I first read your post, I thought of a horseshoe crab instead of a hermit crab. I... well it'd be pretty awesome but it would be hard to take care of.

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

Hermit crabs are so great! Do you have a good pet store nearby that might be able to give you advice?

[mhari.livejournal.com]

lol "i have crabs" /twelve

But! Yes! CRAB. <3 You will have to take peekshures of him.

[azurai.livejournal.com]

well, it's been a while... we kept our duo in the warmest, sunniest room in the house, and they had this little bowl of water with a sponge (though I don't think the sponge was in the bowl all the time). IIRC, I would always make sure that they got a little wet everyday... but this was in elementary school. it really sounds to me like you're doing everything right. Percivale is one lucky crab!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have the sponge! It's for humidity. Also, I have a big dish of water that he is currently sitting in, although I need to get him a dish with salt water, but I can't use table salt, apparently, so I need to work around that. He is so wonderful!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

You will! If we get together for a movie to-night, which we were considering, you could come over and visit afterwards!

Man, I would love a horseshoe crab, but I don't think it would be doable.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Ffff are you kidding. XD No, we only have the one pet store, and the guy pretty much upfront said he doesn't know how to take care of hermit crabs outside the sponge and the salt water.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

:P that was actually the point of the tag.

I will!

[mhari.livejournal.com]

well, yes, I am also wildly suggestible.

:D!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

>:D yeah well.

tag me while I do my homework, wench.

[mhari.livejournal.com]

wench, she calls me! hmph.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

you know I mean it lovingly. :D

[mhari.livejournal.com]

also I poasted icons.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

ooooo!

[josiana.livejournal.com]

It's been so long since I had mine that I remember nothing about taking care of them, but I'm sure you'll be good at it. :D

And I'm glad you've found something that makes you feel better. I hope it continues.

&hearts

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

He still hasn't eaten. I may die of anxiety. D:

I love him so much! He's on my lap being a doof right now.

[josiana.livejournal.com]

Eeep, maybe he's still a bit stressed from the move. D: I'm sure he'll start soon.

Aww, they're such sweet pets. ;___; &hearts

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

Aw, that is too bad. But I am sure you will find out how to be an awesome hermit-crab-keeper!

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

Well, I got him salt water, and I think he really is molting and that's why he wouldn't eat. There was a piece of leg skin in his sand this afternoon.

[rainbowjehan.livejournal.com]

I think he's molting. I found the skin of his leg in his sand yesterday afternoon.

They are!