Having Hermit Crabs as pets is an utmost pleasure for all the pet-owners. These little creatures come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, and are interesting to watch in action. They are intelligent and active and happen to live longer than most of the other aquatic pets if they are well-cared for. Another advantage of having them as a pet is that they are omnivores and can eat many things straight from your kitchen. But what about apples?
Can Hermit Crabs eat apples? Yes, hermit crabs can eat apples by all means, and love doing so. Fruits and vegetables make an essential part of their daily diet, and apples, being a storehouse of nutrients, are among the healthiest fruits for them. Even the skin of apples poses no threat to these little creatures. If you have naturally-made apple sauce at home, it can work as a refreshing treat for them as well.
Are you wondering how apples are healthy for your pet crab? Or do you want to find out ways in which you can serve them these fruits? In this article, we are going to answer all your doubts and queries about feeding apples to Hermit Crabs.
Do Hermit Crabs like eating apples?
Many pet-owners of Hermit Crabs have claimed that their pets like eating most of the fruits they are fed. But do they like eating apples in particular?
As we mentioned, Hermit Crabs are fond of sweet fruits and rarely say no to them. However, much like humans, these creatures also have an individual taste and preference.
If you have served them apples several times and return to find them untouched, it is likely they don’t find them as appetizing as you thought. In that case, it is always wise to move on to another fruit and see how they respond to it.
Are apples healthy for Hermit Crabs?
If your Hermit Crab seems to like eating apples, you would naturally want to find out whether these fruits are healthy for them or not.
To determine whether or not apples are healthy for your pet crabs, let us go through the nutritional chart of apples.
Nutrients | Quantity |
Vitamin A | 54 IU |
Vitamin C | 4.6 g |
Vitamin E | 0.18 g |
Niacin | 0.091 mg |
Riboflavin | 0.026 mg |
Pyridoxine | 0.041 mg |
Thiamin | 0.017 mg |
Sodium | 1 mg |
Potassium | 107 mg |
Calcium | 6 mg |
Iron | 0.12 mg |
Magnesium | 5 mg |
Phosphorous | 11 mg |
Zinc | 0.04 mg |
Carbohydrates | 13.81 g |
Protein | 0.26 g |
Dietary fibers | 2.40 g |
Serving size: 100 grams
Hermit Crabs need vitamins and minerals to stay healthy just as we do. Although the studies about their specific nutritional needs are still in process, scientists have come up with some nutrients that are essential for their health.
Let us take a look at what these are.
Calcium
Of all the nutrients the Hermit Crabs need, calcium is by far the most important. It is essential for maintaining the health of their exoskeleton. A deficiency of calcium in their body can lead to the withering away of their shells. Apples contain calcium in a moderate quantity to support their shell health.
Protein
Although Hermit Crabs are heavily dependent on meat and meat products for protein, plant proteins are vital for them as well. The protein present in apples is enough to meet their nutritional needs.
Carotene
Hermit Crabs are fond of all the richly-colored fruits and vegetables due to the presence of carotene in them. Carotene is an important micronutrient in their diet, and a deficiency of it shows in the color of their body after molting. Apple is rich in beta-carotene.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants play a key role in maintaining the cell health of all living beings, including Hermit Crabs. Fortunately, apples contain these nutrients in abundance.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that apples are one of the healthiest fruits for your Hermit Crabs.
How to feed apples to Hermit Crabs?
Before you feed apples to your pet crab, you must make sure that is thoroughly washed to get rid of any unwanted chemicals that might be present on the skin. For thorough cleaning, you can leave them soaked in lukewarm water for a few minutes before washing them with fresh water.
Hermit Crabs do not require much by the way for prepping in their food. They are known to take their bites, which is why you can just serve them a whole apple and enjoy watching them dig into it.
Can baby Hermit Crabs eat apples?
Yes, baby Hermit Crabs can eat apples as safely as their parents. If you want to make it easier for your baby pet crabs to eat apples, you can choose softer apples for them. You can also serve them apples soaked in water.
Can Hermit Crabs eat the skin of apple?
The Hermit Crabs can eat and digest the skin of apples without any difficulty. Since the skin is also said to be healthier than the flesh inside, you needn’t bother with getting rid of it before feeding apples to your pet.
Are apple seeds safe for Hermit Crabs to eat?
Due to the lack of insufficient data, it is difficult to say whether apple seeds are safe for Hermit Crabs to consume or not at the moment. However, the presence of amygdalin in them, which is toxic for humans and animals alike, can very likely be a threat to your little pet as well.
Amygdalin is a chemical compound present inside the apple seeds, which, if broken inside their body, degrades into hydrogen cyanide. In the small body of a Hermit Crab, even a single seed can prove to be lethal.
Can Hermit Crabs drink apple juice?
Apple juices are made from crushing entire apples, along with the core and seeds. Therefore, there are chances that they may contain cyanide. Therefore, it is best not to feed apple juice or smoothie to your pet crab.
Frequently asked questions
What should I avoid feeding my Hermit Crab?
The following are some of the food you should avoid feeding you pet Hermit Crab:
- Ivy
- Onion
- Peppermint
- Catnip
- Alder bark
- Hemlock
- Rosemary
- Buttercup
- Crocus
- Garlic
- Papaya seed
- Yew
- Oleander
- Lemon Grass
- Cinnamon
- Avocado leaves, skin, and pit
Which bugs should I feed my pet Hermit Crabs?
If you want to feed your pet Hermit Crab bugs, these are your best choices.
- Katydids
- Scorpions
- Locusts
- Spiders
- Beetle grubs
- Super worms
- Hornworms
- Centipedes
- Isopods
- Grasshoppers
- Earthworms
- Waxworms
Can Hermit Crabs eat wood?
Just like all other wild crabs, Hermit Crabs can eat wood and often like to play with it as well. You should provide them with wood into their water tanks. However, when the wood turns old or slimy, take care to remove them from the tank.
Apart from apples, what other fruits and vegetables can I feed my pet Hermit Crab?
You can feed your pet Hermit Crabs broccoli, banana, grapes, cress, papaya, carrot, mango, spinach, coconuts, melons, strawberries, etc.
How can I provide sufficient calcium to my Hermit Crab?
Apart from feeding your pet crab fruits and vegetables rich in calcium, you can also give them cuttlebone, crushed eggshells, and oyster shells. Adding coral sand as a tank substrate is also a good idea.
When should I feed my Hermit Crab?
Hermit Crabs are nocturnal beings who are active during the night and prefer to feed then as well. Therefore, no matter when you serve them food, you will often notice them eating them at night.
To sum it up: Can Hermit Crabs Eat Apples?
To sum it up, a large part of Hermit Crab’s diet consists of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables. Apples contain most of the vitamins and minerals in abundance and are, thus, most-suited to feed your pet crab. They can safely eat apple skin and need no serving preparation. Just be careful about removing the seeds before feeding them.