Exercise and Longevity

[Jedi_Sena]

I wrote this into my Crabotanicals care site because I feel exercise is essential to health of a hermit crab. One of my very sick crabs lived much longer than I expected him to, and I attribute it to letting him roam (even sick) outside the cage for a time each night. I think it is good for their mental health too, to have change of pace and scenery.

[Ryan-Hughes]

I think excersie is very important for the health of hermit crabs...i also think its important to switch around the setup of your tank so your crabs have a new enviroment to explore. My hermit crabs are outside exercising right now haha.

[emmac350]

Outside as in outside your house? Are they in something as opposed to being on the ground, exposed to numerous pesticides/fertilizers/bacteria that could make them sick? They don't need to be outside, especially if it's not the right temperature or humidity and if they're in direct sunlight that can overheat them in a few minutes. All you need is a large Rubbermaid or a hard plastic baby pool for them to get exercise, plus there's no risk of them being overheated or eaten by an animal.

[ladybug15057]

The hermies here get out of the tank time for exercising.
But as a rule our main tanks stay as is so the hermies are familiar with the tank. IMO by changing the tank about can stress a hermie to a degree, especially a premolter who may feel safe in a certain part of the tank.

[crabcrazygal]

i move around parts of my tank, and put new things in there, but if there is a particular object that my crabs seem to like, i will leave it where it is.

[Ryan-Hughes]

oh no i ment outside of their cage haha sorryy...they excerise is a long rubbermaid tub thing

[Ryan-Hughes]

And theirs nothing wrong with moving their toys around....the only i dont is if one of my crabs is burried below the substrate