Digging is an important part of life for hermit crabs in the wild. They do this when getting ready to molt, or if they feel threatened or vulnerable. So,
in order for your pet hermie to live a long and happy life in
captivity, it is very important to create an environment that makes them
feel comfortable and secure. This also means providing materials so that your hermie can dig. These materials are referred to as substrate. So in this article we will look at what to look is the best type of substrate for hermit crab digging? Get it right and you'll have happy satisfied crabs, do something wrong and your crawly companions could die!
There are many different types of substrate material on the market, it is important to note that not all are ideal for digging purposes of land hermie. So you are for a substrate that is easy to filter and clean and that your cat is looking happy.
Two of the best substrates on the market for your hermie the grave border activities are common or garden sand, as that is what is known in its natural environment, or coir mats, unlike the wild woods used hermie Sheets (FB or short!)
Now as far as relates to sand, so pet stores will try to sell you bags of specially marked as "hermit crab sand", but it is incredibly expensive. It's much better (and easier on the pocket) to go to a children's sand bag, much more, and finally buy a lot more. The only condition is that you buy the sand is clean and does not smell musty Just make sure you choose has carefully! In preparing the sand for your hermie needs you need a little water so that the crabs can to your heart's content without digging it all breaks down to add.
When talking about forest bedding, it is advisable to note that there is to be prepared before it has the crab shell. The coconut fiber is crushed and then pressed into a hard brick like shapes. To produce the bricks, put them in a bowl and enough water for the brick to suck it up. It should then be soft enough to shred with your hands. You can then use these to your tank .. The advantages of FB over any other kind of substrate is that it simply best if the pet hermie through its molting stage goes. Also, over time thickens and is a great platform for the hermie the grave border because they can dig small tunnels through without collapsing it. The last advantage of the FB has over sand is that the moisture in the bedding that hold moisture.
The disadvantages of forest bedding has over other forms of the substrate is that it attracts quite expensive to purchase, and it is prone to fungal gnats. These little critters are tiny black insects resemble small mosquitoes. You can, and probably will, lay their eggs in the moist, warm blankets and forest, and you will have a colony of them before you know it! A word of warning here! Do not use pesticides to kill the error, as it will also kill your crab. A good way to prevent this is to mix your Bedding forest with salt water. It is not only good for the crabs as they like to eat FB, but it also prevents the error from the eggs.
Personally, I think the best type of substrate for hermit crabs digging is a combination of the two. To do this, just prepare the fiber as usual and add sand to the same extent. Add water up to the point where it is not too dry and consistency that is not too wet of a kind sand castle. Above all, you will know what type of substrate your hermies like to have so much fun and like to experiment crabs!...
