I am a new hermit crab owner, thanks to my Mum buying them for my sons 5th Birthday 2 weeks ago! The 5 year old isnt too keen on them, but my 7 year old and I love them!
Just wanted to ask - what type of crabs are they? I have 6, but they all look the same as the one I have pictured here. This is Squirt - he is about half the size of the others
All your hermit crabs should be Coenobita variabilis, also known as the Australian land hermit crab. They are literally the only species we can get. The other species native to Australia are the strawberry land hermit crabs, but pet stores are forbidden from selling them unless they have a special licence.
Thanks so much for your reply Glad I finally know now!
I can't believe how much I love these little guys. Right now I have all of them except for 2 which my parents purchased in crappy painted shells. So I have put lots of natural shells in, just waiting for them to change. My poor parents felt so bad when they found out painted shells could be lethal!
Look for pheasant shells (Phasianella). They seem to be the top favourite of the Australian land hermit crab species. All of mine have changed into one.
