Jungle Earth

[Carrie]

I recently switched from beach sand to jungle earth. This earth, found in pet stores by that name, or maybe 'black earth,' is a loose sort of earth that naturally retains moisture, i.e., moisture in the air also. I got the idea at a pet shop specializing in tropical insects--they didn't even add humidity-increasing devices to their tanks (with tight-fitting lids w/ air-holes) and this soil was still providing humidity.

Crabs can dig easily and quickly, which is fun for them as well as not taking up needed molting energy when they go to dig under for a molt (for those who do dig under).

At the same time I added some terrarium moss, or "molting moss," a loose mossy stuff that you buy dry but can moisten to increase humidity. If you keep it in clumps, crabs can dig into it to molt, or under it.

If you're having trouble with humidity I'd recommend the jungle or black earth over the sand or gravel or just about anything else.

I've had 4 small crabs molt in this substrate and they really seem to enjoy it, besides that...

There is a little sand mixed in with it as I figure that's how their natural environment would be. They go in near the beach where there are trees and plants and hide, so there would naturally be both earth and sand.