Hermit Crab: Your Happy Healthy Pet

by Audrey Pavia

Overview

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs.

Hermit crabs are social creatures, so most owners have several. They're easy to care for and fascinating to watch as they grow, molt, climb, dig, burrow, and crawl. They "adopt" shells that they carry on their back like a mobile home! With colorful photos and helpful tips, this practical guide covers everything you need to know to get started, including:
* Choosing your hermit crabs
* Setting up an interesting crabitat with a warm, humid environment
* Essential equipment and supplies
* Handling, feeding, and misting your hermit crabs
* Providing extra shells so your critters can change shell "housing" as they grow


Discover intriguing ways to have fun with hermit crabs. They're truly low cost, low maintenance, captivating pets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470364277
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/05/2008
Series:	Happy Healthy Pet , #51
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	953,465
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Award-winning author Audrey Pavia has been a professional pet writer since 1987. A graduate of New York University, Pavia has written 17 books about pet care, including Horses For Dummies, The Gecko: An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet, and Guinea Pig: Your Happy Healthy Pet. She has also written hundreds of articles for pet magazines, including Reptiles, Aquarium Fish, and Critters USA.
In addition to writing about pets, Pavia has worked as an editor for several dog magazines and a monthly horse publication. She lives with her husband, Randy, and an assortment of animals in Norco, California.

Table of Contents

Part I: The World of Hermit Crabs.

Chapter 1: What Is a Hermit Crab?

Scientifically Speaking.

Hermit Crab Anatomy.

Mobile Home.

Hermit Crab Society.

All Kinds of Crabs.

Chapter 2: The History of Hermit Crabs.

Prehistoric Crabs.

Humans and Hermit Crabs.

The Future of Hermit Crabs.

Chapter 3: Why Get a Hermit Crab?

The Joys of Owning a Hermit Crab.

Your Responsibilities.

The Cuddle Factor.

Routine Hermit Crab Care.

Hermit Crabs and Children.

Chapter 4: Choosing Your Hermit Crabs.

Where to Buy Your Crabs.

Picking Your Crabs.

Part II: Caring for Your Hermit Crabs.

Chapter 5: A Home for Your Hermit Crabs.

Establishing the Crabitat.

Crabitat Accessories.

Location.

Acclimating the Newcomers.

Introducing Other Pets.

Chapter 6: Feeding Your Hermit Crabs.

What Crabs Eat.

Great Foods for Your Hermit Crabs.

Recipes for Hermit Crabs.

Serving the Food.

Water.

Chapter 7: Your Hermit Crab’s Shell.

Selecting Shells.

Shells for Your Crabs.

Avoiding Shell Fights.

Keeping Shells Wet.

Chapter 8: Keeping Your Hermit Crabs Healthy.

Prevention Is Everything.

Signs of a Sick Crab.

Crab Troubles.

What Healthy Crabs Need.

Molting.

Part III: Enjoying Your Hermit Crabs.

Chapter 9: Hermit Crab Behavior.

Socializing.

Eating.

Self-Grooming.

Climbing.

Digging.

Aggression.

Crab Sounds.

Hiding.

Shell Swapping.

Chapter 10: Having Fun with Your Hermit Crabs.

Handling.

Hand Feeding.

Playtime.

Traveling with Your Crabs.

Meeting Other Crab Owners.

Appendix: Learning More About Your Hermit Crabs.

Some Good Books.

Education.

Online Resources.

Index.