Hermit Crab

Audrey Pavia

Description

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.
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.

Sujets

• Terrariums
• Amphibians
• Pets
• Reptiles

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 05 mai 2008
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780470364277
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Your Happy Healthy Pet
Hermit Crab
Your Happy Healthy Pet

Hermit Crab

Audrey Pavia
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved.
Howell Book House
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], fax [phone], or on the web at www.copyright.com . Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, [phone], fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions .
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Pavia, Audrey.
Hermit crab / Audrey Pavia.
p. cm. - (Your happy healthy pet)
ISBN-13: 978-0-471-79379-3 (cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-471-79379-5 (alk. paper)
1. Hermit crabs as pets. I. Title. II. Series.
SF459.H47P38 2006
639.67-dc22

2006003802
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Book design by Melissa Auciello-Brogan
Cover design by Michael J. Freeland
Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services
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.
About Howell Book House
Since 1961, Howell Book House has been America s premier publisher of pet books. We re dedicated to companion animals and the people who love them, and our books reflect that commitment. Our stable of authors-training experts, veterinarians, breeders, and other authorities-is second to none. And we ve won more Maxwell Awards from the Dog Writers Association of America than any other publisher.
As we head toward the half-century mark, we re more committed than ever to providing new and innovative books, along with the classics our readers have grown to love. This year, we re launching several exciting new initiatives, including redesigning the Howell Book House logo and revamping our biggest pet series, Your Happy Healthy Pet , with bold new covers and updated content. From bringing home a new puppy to competing in advanced equestrian events, Howell has the titles that keep animal lovers coming back again and again.
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
Shopping List
You ll need to do a bit of stocking up before you bring your hermit crab home. Below is a basic list of some must-have supplies. For more detailed information on selecting each item below, consult chapter 5. For specific guidance on what food you ll need, review chapter 6.

Tank with secure, partially vented top
Small plastic travel carrier
Two shallow water dishes
Tank heater
Substrate
Humidity gauge
Hiding places
Temperature gauge
Climbing places
Natural sea sponge
Food dish
Water conditioners
Commercial crab food
Shells
Mister
Decorations
There are likely to be a few other items that you re dying to pick up before bringing your hermit crab home. Use the following blanks to note any additional items you ll be shopping for.
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Pet Sitter s Guide
We can be reached at (__)_____-__________ Cellphone (____)_______-________.
__________________________________________________________________
We will return on_________________(date) at_______________(approximate time)
Other individual to contact in case of emergency _____________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Number of hermit crabs we have: _________________________________________
Care Instructions
In the following sections, let the sitter know what to feed, how much, and when; what tasks need to be performed daily; and what weekly tasks they ll be responsible for.
Morning ____________________________________________________
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Evening ____________________________________________________
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Other tasks and special instructions ________________________________
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Part I
The World of Hermit Crabs

The Hermit Crab
Chapter 1
What Is a Hermit Crab?

Nearly everyone k