Last year or so ago I decided to raise hermit crabs. I've always loved them. I heard all the negative reviews from family members and friends. "Hermit crabs are practically not even a pet." "You can't even play with a hermit crab". "Hermit crabs are fine for the first couple months, then they die and you move on." "Hermit crabs stink." On and on it went.
I ignored all the negatives and after some time to research what type of home they needed and what types of food they ate. I set up my tank and purchased some hermit crabs. After a few weeks, I began to be astounded by what you could learn about children from a hermit crab.
I ignored all the negatives and after some time to research what type of home they needed and what types of food they ate. I set up my tank and purchased some hermit crabs. After a few weeks, I began to be astounded by what you could learn about children from a hermit crab.
1. Although hermit crabs have been labeled with the "hermit" label, it refers to being able to retreat into it's shell when frightened and trying to protect itself. Just like a child who retreats into himself in a stressful situation.
2. Actually, hermit crabs are found in colonies and need socialization to successfully live in captivity. Just like a child who cannot successful flourish without socialization and interaction.
3. Hermit crabs are just a shell with legs. Actually a hermit crab is made up of a hard outer shell it "borrows" from another creature to protect it's soft inner body. Just like a child who puts up a front of hard outer shell and won't let you in because he's protecting his soft inner emotions and feelings.
4. Without new places to explore or play, a hermit crab will become listless. Just like a child who without new learning experiences will become bored.
5. Hermit crabs can live in a wire cage or travel container and they'll be fine. Actually, hermit crabs require a specific amount of heat and humidity to allow their gills to breath properly and this is never achievable by keeping them in a wire cage or container. Just like a child who requires the right amount of love, care and a safe environment in order to grow.
6. Hermit crabs don't need any type of specialized lighting. Actually, hermit crabs need a specific light and dark cycle to successfully molt (shed it's skin and grow). Just like a child who needs proper rest, sleep and routine.
7. Hermit crabs are stupid. Actually hermit crabs are quite smart. Each evening between 9 and 10 I put their food in their tank. One night my kids were sick and I didn't bring their food to them until about 11:30. Sitting right in the spot where I place their food each night, was Harmony, my first hermit crab. Initially I thought coincidence, but after thinking about it, I decided to feed them "later" the next night. Once again, there sat Harmony, practically tapping her pincher on the rocks saying, "hurry up I'm hungry." Just like a child who you think can't communicate and is thought to not be bright. We need to find a way to "understand" what they are saying. We just have to look for the language they are speaking so we can communicate with them and you'll surprised at just how smart they really are.
8. Hermit crabs have no personality. You might think this until you've raised a few. Each and every one has a distinct personality about them. Just like a child.
9. Hermit crabs pinch. True. But more specifically, rather than pinching, they are grabbing. If you hold a hermit crab in the palm of your hand and let it crawl and move around, you'll never be pinched. But if you tip your hand to where they feel like they are going to fall and they are frightened, they'll grab on. Just like a child who has behavioral issues. We need to figure out why the behavior is manifesting so we can work on getting them the support they need.
10. Hermit crabs are not social and cannot make friends. Untrue. I purchased an extremely small hermit crab from a local pet shop. She was less then the size of a quarter. I felt so bad for her I had to bring her home. The pet store girl was prodding her with her keys to get her to move. She is painfully shy; we named her Little Angel. A few months later my niece decided she no longer wanted her jumbo crab Spiderman. He's about the size of an adult fist. I thought, good grief are these crabs all going to get along. Within one day I saw something in the tank and just had to stop and ponder. There was Little Angel riding on Spiderman's back. It was just like the big brother/big sister program, but for hermit crabs. She does this often and he allows it. Just like the child we think is locked up in a world of their own. They need friends, interaction and just the right amount of support to help them along.
K. Howey 6/17/09
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