HCA: Hermit Crab Association

https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Gift-Stor ... 103&sr=8-6

I was an IDIOT for not looking into the animals before buying. I remember my childhood friend having hermits and knew they were interesting and gentle. I thought they'd be an awesome birthday gift for my kids. The listing says "complete starter kit". I figured I'd need a better cage, heat source etc and started reading up about them once they arrived (after seven days stuffed into a cup with newspaper and a dried out sponge). If I hadn't started reading these animals would have suffered a slow death. I'm soooo mad! I've raised wild abandoned baby rabbits, robins & squirrels and never dreamed of keeping them in a cage forever. If I had known these crabs were stolen from their habitat I NEVER would have bought them. I don't understand how amazon can allow the sale of these animals. There's 3 still living, 1 arrived with it's limbs dried out and broken off. I'm not sure whether its dead, dying or molting so it's in its own little habitat. One is a big guy and he's so sweet. He pops out when I talk to him, he hangs out with me while I'm working on the computer and I give him honey off my fingers. These creatures are so intelligent, have memories and personalities and I'm so sad that they're being abused for profit. I'm going to run through the PPS method for helping them recover from their ordeal in shallow substrate, lots of food variety to get their nutrients up then they're getting a 55 gallon tank to live in.

I just needed to vent, I actually cried when I saw how horridly they are treated:(

If I were you, I would set them up with proper temp, humidity, and deep substrate right away. There is no evidence that any method improves outcomes. If they need to molt, they can't put it off until the conditions are perfect, they will surface molt which can be dangerous for them. Some of the theories that the PPS method are based on, don't even apply to crabs at all.

Okay, I'll get the big tank set up going right away. Right now they're in their small cage they came in with a reptile heating pad under haft and a puppy pad over the top to keep warmth and moisture inside. I ordered a bigger terrarium, sand and soil substrate, humidity meter, actual baths for their salt and fresh water, stuff to climb and hide under, cuddle bones and salt licks. Food wise I've been giving them the pellets they came with but also whatever we're eating at each meal. They've had rice and beef (plain, no spices), sweet red peppers raw, raw greens, apple, honey, green beans, eggs and shells. The honey and egg shells were a hit. They're eating and drinking, the big one is outgoing. The little ones are shy but they're starting to peek out when I talk to them. The kids are mad that I took them over lol. I've been letting them pet the big guy occasionally but no kids handling any of them yet. Everyday they're getting more active so it's fun to just watch and talk to them:)

Once they're in their new digs, you may find they'll bury. It's pretty normal, and usually it allows them to destress or potentially moult of they put it off for too long. Just give them some time and they'll hopefully come up sooner rather than later!