My first hermit crab!

YAY! So on Tuesday my supplies came, and I set up my tank immediately... and on Wednesday morning we went to the petstore and I bought my first hermit crab! He's a medium - golfball-sized - Purple Pincher (Coenobita Clypeatus). Someone on the HCA forums described him as a "chipper fellow" when I said he came out of his shell to greet me in the petstore, and so I decided to call him Chipper. He's an adorable, sweet crabby!

He changed into a new shell last night! He's been resting/destressing/lazy around all day. Right now he's chilling out in the lego hut I made for them. I think he really likes it in there. :) He also really loves honey. lol I gave him a bit of blackstrap molasses, pear, peach, banana, and spinach with egg shells for tonight, and I smoothed out the sand around his bowl so I'll be able to tell if he ate.

There were only 2 hermit crabs left at the petstore on Wednesday... the lady told me someone had bought 4 a few days earlier. Out of the 2 that were left, I only bought one because the other's armor leg was damaged. Also, the tank conditions in the petstore weren't too hot. Literally. There was a sponge in the water bowl for humidity, but the AC was on almost directly overhead and there was no source of heat. I did ask her if she had some caresheets and when she said they didn't, I asked her if I could bring her some and she said yes! I inquired as to whether or not she could order more, and when I called tonight she told me she would have them in sometime next week. And I was payed back some money, so now I can afford to buy 3!

I feel bad that I didn't take the smallest one home with me as well. When we go back this weekend, I'm going to buy him. If he's still there, that is. :S Poor baby... :( Mommy's coming. Hang in there, sweetie.

The crabitat is superb... I installed 2 other levels, both filled with sheet moss, with little jute nets which I macramed. I never fully appreciated suctions cups, until now!

The temperature is stable at 80F (I've got the UTH and a desk lamp w/ a 40 watt bulb turned on) and the humidity is at 79%, which is very good. The only thing that's missing is a saltwater source. I bought a 2 kg bag of Hagen Aquarium Salt, but it's "not for use in marine aquariums" and so I'm going to have to buy marine salt this weekend.

YAY! My babies! I can't believe how much I love hermit crabs! I can't wait 'til my first molt - I mean, their first molt with me. lol :P

Okay. I'll keep you informed on Chipper's status! :) Oh, and I will take pictures tomorrow and post them here!!