crabbieworld

[crabbieworld]

I thought it was a myth too, I know tarantula’s fangs can break off if they were to bite a human (human skin is thicker than bug exoskeletons) I didn’t realize people legit did it and then sold the tarantula afterwards. It’s like, if you don’t want to accept the risk that the tarantula may bite you with or without warning maaaaaybe you should get a different arthropod instead. Seems a lot of people who own tarantulas own them so that they look like a badass but then if it comes time to move the tarantula to a new enclosure, take out uneaten or leftover food or change the water bowl they get scared because ew gross a spider.

Omg omg omg! PLEASE HELP ME!! I resent lay bought my first ever tarantula! she or he is a rose hair, I bought her from a pet store. Today she was on the glass and she was FANGLESS!! I called the pet store for them to tell me that the de fang all the tarantulas so they will be 'more appealing' for people! please help me I know nothing about this! will my new 8 legged friend be okay? :( do they grow back?

Gimme a second.

OHHHHHH MY GOD. OOOOHHHHHHHH MYYY GOD. UGH.

okay I’m done. First of all, my answer: yes they do grow back. It may take a little while, but once she molts again they should come back. They’ll usually come back completely. She will need help eating though. You may need to pre-kill prey to feed her, as she can’t kill anything without being able to inject venom. If she doesn’t eat (as she may not take the food out of fear), it may be okay as long as you keep her hydrated by keeping a shallow bowl of water in the enclosure. Sometimes when tarantulas are missing a limb etc, they may be “forced” into an early molt (something I’ve heard, someone correct me if I’m wrong). To help prevent a bad molt, keep the temp and humidity up throughout the whole event. All in all, if you really look after her well, she should survive.

Second of all, my rant: You. Do. Not. Under. Any. Circumstances. DEFANG. A. TARANTULA. Fangs are how they subdue prey. They stab the prey to catch and immobilize the prey, then through the fangs they inject the venom that paralyzes it so that they can begin digestion. Then, as they’re eating, they use their fangs to hold on to the prey while they chew. This does NOT make them more desirable, this makes them DESTINED TO DIE at the hands of someone who knows NOTHING about them! “Oh this giant spider can’t bite me, that’s so cool!” Then they wonder why it’s not eating. It puts fuel on the fire.

Third of all, my advice: If you’re comfortable with it, call the store back. Ask to talk to the manager. Tell them what I told you: that tarantulas literally cannot eat if you break their fangs off. Tell them that de-fanging is not a safe practice and that literally no professional in the hobby does that. IT IS LITERALLY ANIMAL CRUELTY.

Best of luck to you. If you need anything, please come talk to me.

brachypelmasmithi I’d like your input if you may?

~Caine

[crabbieworld]

Useful Links For Companion Animals Masterpost

Axolotl Requirements & Water Conditions in Captivity Care Sheet Care Sheet 2 How to Care for an Axolotl Keeping an axolotl as a pet All About Axolotls Care For An Axolotl How to care for Axolotls Care Sheet For Beginners Complete Axolotl Caresheet Betta Fish How to Take Care of a Betta Fish How to Properly Care for a Betta basic betta care 101 Betta Species Profile Betta Fish Care Betta Care Sheet Taking care of your own Betta fish Betta Fish Care in 10 Steps Betta Care Basics How to Care For Your Betta Fish Budgies How to Take Care of a Budgie Budgie Care 101 Budgie buying and care for beginners Budgerigars: Health, Diet, Videos & More Budgie Place Keeping Budgies As Pets How to Care for Your New Budgie Tips for Caring for Your First Pet Budgie How to look after budgies Introduction to Budgerigars and Their Care Canaries Care Basic Canary Care Canaries Canary Care - Animal World Introduction and Care of Canaries Bird Care Guide-canary canary care Caring for your pet canary How to Care for Your Canary How To Care For Canary Birds Cats Cat care international cat care advice | international cat care Cat welfare - Tips, advice, health Looking after your cat Cat Care How to Care for Your Cat: 8 Steps Cat Care Essentials Cat Care Articles Articles, Tips and Information for Cats Chinchillas Chinchilla welfare - Tips, advice, health Chinchilla Care & Health Advice Caring for your chinchilla How to Care for Chinchillas General Care of Chinchillas All You Need to Know About Caring for Chinchillas Do Chinchillas Make Good Pets? Chinchilla Care, Information, Facts & Pictures Chinchilla Care A Beginners Guide to Chinchilla Care Dogs Dog welfare - Tips, advice, health Looking after your dog Dog Care and Health Advice Tips & Advice For Dog Lovers Caring for your Dog Dog Health Care Dog Care Dog Care 2 How to Take Care of a Dog Dog Care Advice Ferrets A Guide for Beginners Ferrets Ferret Care and Behavior Tips Pet Ferret Care, Information, Facts & Pictures Ferret Care and Facts Guide for Petkeeping How to Care for a Ferret Ferret Care Ferret care 2 How To Take Care Of Ferrets Feeding and Caring for Your Pet Ferret Geckos Health Advice Gecko Care How to Care for a Leopard Gecko Leopard Gecko Care Sheet Leopard gecko care sheet 2 Leopard Gecko Care Sheet 3 Leopard Gecko Care Gecko Care Sheet Gecko Lizard Care & Nutrition Leopard Gecko Care Video Gerbils Gerbil welfare - Tips, advice, health Caring for your gerbil Gerbils Care & Health Advice How to Care for Gerbils Gerbil Care Gerbil Care Handbook Pet Gerbil Care, Information, Facts & Pictures Guide To Gerbils As Pets Gerbils: Health, Diet, Videos & More How to Care For a Pet Gerbil Giant African Land Snails Giant African Land Snail caresheet How to Care for Giant African Land Snails Giant African Land Snails Giant African land snails 2 Pet Snails The giant African land snail Giant African Land Snails, Care Giant African Land Snail Care Video How To Care For Giant African Land Snails All You Need to Know About GALS Goldfish How to take care of goldfish How to Take Care of Goldfish 2 How to Take Care of Goldfish 3 Essential Goldfish Care Guidelines Proper Goldfish Care Your First Goldfish Goldfish Care Caring for Pet Goldfish Goldfish Care Basics Goldfish: A Guide for Proper Care and Living Environment Guinea Pigs Guinea Pigs welfare - Tips, advice, health Guinea Pig Care & Health Advice Caring for your guinea pig Guinea Pigs: Health, Diet, Videos & More How to Care for Guinea Pigs Guinea Pig Care and Health Information Welcome to Online Guinea Pig Care Guinea Pig Care Guide For Beginners Guinea Pig Care Guinea Pig Care Guide Hamsters Hamsters Hamster Care & Health Advice How to Care for a Hamster Hamster Care Caring for your hamster Hamster Education Center Hamster Care and advice tips Pet Hamster Care, Information, Facts & Pictures Hamster Care - Choosing and Handling Pet Hamsters Hamster Information, Hamster Care and Hamster Health Horses Horse & Pony care & welfare -Tips Basic Horse Care Information and Guidelines Horse care Horse Care 2 Horse care tips Looking after your horse Horse Care 101 How to Take Care of a Horse or Pony Tips for How To Take Care of a Horse Mice Caring for Pet Mice Mice How to Take Care of Mice Mouse Care Looking after your mouse Everything you need to know How to Care for a Pet Mouse Introduction and Choosing a Pet Mouse Pet Mice: Health, Diet, Videos & More Mouse Care and Behavior Tips Parrots Parrotcare Parrot Care Sheet Information How to Care for a Parrot parrot care | behaviour Basic Bird Care Guide for Parrots How to Care for an African Grey Parrot How to Care for a Pet Parrot Training, Temperament & Care of Pet Parrots 50 Things a Companion Parrot Owner Should Know Care and Training Rabbits Rabbit welfare - Tips, advice, health Caring for your rabbit Rabbit Care | Rabbit Diet | Indoor Housing | Bunny Proofing Rabbit Advice Care & Health Advice How to Care for a Rabbit General Rabbit Care How to Care for Domestic Rabbits Rabbit and Bunny Care: how to feed and look after rabbits Rabbits | The Animal Welfare Foundation Rabbit Care Considerations Rats Advice about Pet Rat Care for Beginners Rats - pet rodents Caring for your rat everything you need to know Rat Care | ASPCA How to Care for a Pet Rat Caring for Pet Rats Rat Care & Health Advice Keeping Pet Rats: A Short Guide All Rat Care and Behavior Tips Snakes Corn Snake Care and Health Advice Caring for Pet Snakes A Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Snakes How to Care for Snakes Corn Snake Care Sheet Corn Snake Care Sheet 2 Corn Snake Care Preparing for Your First Pet Snake Caring for Corn Snakes How to Take Care of a Corn Snake Tarantulas Tarantula Husbandry Beginner’s Guide to Tarantula Care How to Care for a Tarantula Pet Tarantulas Information Facts Tarantula caresheet Tarantulas as Pets Rose Hair Tarantula Care How To Take Care Of Tarantulas Keeping tarantulas Basic Tarantula Care Sheet Tortoises Taking care of pet tortoises How to care for your tortoises How to Care for a Tortoise How to Care for a Tortoise 2 Tortoise Care Sheet Buying & setting up for a baby tortoise Mediterranean Tortoises Hermanns Tortoise Care Sheet Tortoise Diet Tortoises - Pets World If there are any other companions you’d like me to add, please let me know and I’ll update this post! :)

[crabbieworld]

This is interesting because, while I've never met sociopath or thieving reptile owners, but I have met lots reptile owners who have just all around poor people skills and are often really dickish and have an ego about them. Apparently the various reptile folks locally just DO NOT get along and will rage at each other given the smallest chance over something random. Also they’re not forgiving to newcomers to the hobby, if you don’t know about snake breeding lingo or like some other random thing they will look down upon you. 

Almost all the crab owners I`ve met have been nice people who might bombard a newcomer with information, not out of malice. but out of passion for the animals. It seems a lot of them are female and are mothers who somehow ended up with their kid(s) bring home crabs one day and then they started enjoying them more than the kids.

Also tarantula owners love to tear each other a new one all the time. I only approach them if there is something I don’t know and can’t find on the internet. They’ll look down on me just because I own a single rose hair. Well sorry I’m not allowed to keep dozens of spiders in my house, I’m lucky I can even have one spider :P

Honestly, there's a frightening correlation between reptile owners and psycho/sociopathy.

I don’t want to generalize and say that ALL reptile owners are bad people, because they aren’t, not by a long shot. But to be a reptile owner is a lot different than being, say, a guinea pig owner. You have to be okay with feeding animals to other animals, alive or frozen, but still animals. Which is nature and completely understandable, but at the same time you will get people who relish doing it, who enjoy watching other animals die by their animal. Obviously not everyone, but in the reptile community their will be these people because they are the pet community where feeding animals to other animals is a necessity, not a choice.

But I will say this, and this might make some people mad, but where I work there is a correlation between reptile owners and theft. Every single day we are missing something from our reptile section, which I know because I’m in charge of inventory. There’s always way more theft from the reptile section than any other section, which sucks but is a reality.

[crabbieworld]

This is the general reaction to my tarantula and my crabs when I had them. My own father is OK with her since she’s quite, doesn't smell and doesn't roam the house but my mother will not allow her in her house even though she’s a perfectly reasonable and safe pet. 

With the permission of the creator, I am sharing this.

[crabbieworld]

Additional Halloween/Moon/Blackback crabs info! 

Any knowledge of blackback crabs (also known as moon crabs, red crabs, and Bermuda Land Crabs)? Or know anyone with experience? Thanks, love your blog!

Oh yeah, I cared for their tank at work for months! BOY HOWDY are there a lot of misconceptions about their care WHY, THEY ARE CRABS, THEY NEED SALTWATER

ANYWAY they need a 15 gallon minimum, with a 20 long being a bit better. Their enclosure should be more sand than water, but the water MUST be deep enough for them to submerge themselves. However, if it is too deep they will drown. Aim for about 3″ deep.

They tolerate brackish water fine but full strength salt is also acceptable. (1.010-1.024) Their water can be a large plastic tub buried in the sand so they can easily enter it, with something for them to climb out on (driftwood works well). You can use a submersible filter to help keep it clean but it still needs to be changed weekly. If filtered, it actually needs to be cycled like an aquarium.

Deep sand bed, play sand is fine! Make it nice and deep, 4″ or deeper. Decor can be plastic plants, but make sure nothing that is heavy, as they burrow a lot and if they dig under it there could be a tunnel collapse! They also climb a lot so offer them driftwood, corkbark, etc. to hide under and climb on.

Temperature needs to be warmer, about 80F with an ambient humidity of 70% and a daily spike to 100%. This is very important! If it gets too dry they will dehydrate easily.

Shallow food dish, with a diet similar to hermit crabs sans the grains. Commercial crab food (look at the ingredients list to make sure there is no copper) with lots of fresh foods like fish, shrimp, vegetables, and cuttlebone or a sprinkle of calcium powder for a supplement.

[crabbieworld]

Please don’t do this to your puffpuff! Puffing up stresses them physically and mentally and is just generally bad. Don’t try to scare your puffpuffs! 

[crabbieworld]

A diagram of what I came up with the ideal moon crab tank from what limited information on their care exists. The tank would be 20 gallons, as 10 gallons per crab seems to be the accepted standard. So the middle would be sub, a mixture of playsand and eco earth (the same used for hermit crabs) and to the sides are plexiglass sloped down secured to the glass with aquarium sealant as well as river pebbles glued to the plexiglass (also with aquarium sealant) or pieces of driftwood allowing the crabs to get in and out. The water would have to be changed (or at least uneaten food siphoned out with a turkey baster) at least every other day. On the middle is a medium half a log creating a hide which crabs would burrow under so they fit comfortably. A piece of drift wood is provided to add interest and to give the crabs something to climb on. An UTH is placed on the side of the tank above the sub to give heat or a heat lamp would be provided instead of the UTH. The tank would have to be quite humid so 2/3 of the screen lid would be covered with saran wrap to help keep heat and humidity in. 

This is just what I’m thinking would be the ideal conditions, if any of you guys spot anything wrong with it please let me know!

[crabbieworld]

I actually did some research on these little guys a while ago and it was difficult to find any good info :(

Judging by where they’re from (Coastal West Africa apparently) I think it’s fairly safe to assume that much like hermit crabs, they would require both salt and fresh water and that they live on the kind of earth hermit crabs live on as well (a mixture of soft sand and organic matter) and because they are crabs they probably burrow to some extent so deep sub should be provided to allow for this. As for food crabs literally eat anything in the universe so they should be fed in the same matter hermit crabs are, Providing a mixture of fresh fruits, veggies, meats and grain as well as cuttlebone or eggshells for calcium. Because they live near water humidity should be high, I’m also going to assume it’s fairly warm in West Africa because it’s Africa so an UTH or heat lamp should be present. It won’t let me post it in this post but I’ll post another post with a diagram of what I think an ideal moon crab tank would look like.  

Well, it looks like I’m getting blackback crabs, also known as red crabs, moon crabs, or Bermuda Land Crabs.  Anyone have any experience with these??

[crabbieworld]

Crabbing on a Budget: Canadian Edition

Crabs sure are expensive, but what if you don't have the money to keep our favorite animals? This is a Canadian's guide to crabbing on the cheap, I'd do one for Americans but I'm not American so I have no idea where to get stuff. Also I totally jacked this idea from an anon on HermitHarbour's blog

Crabs:

Don't go out to petsmart or whatever and buy your crabs. As well helping support a cruel industry, buying crabs can be expensive. So I will let you all know of a magical place, and this place is called Kijiji. Kijiji is a Canadian exclusive Craigslist-esque thing with less sex. You can either put out an ad for unwanted hermit crabs, or you can sometimes find them for cheap or even free! So story time: I got three crabs off kijiji for free, they came with a 10 gallon tank and a 30(!) gallon tank. All for free. Another time I got an Indo crab for free off Kijiji by putting out an ad looking for crabs. 

Tank:

You'll need to check kijiji again for cheap tanks, often times you can find tanks 30+ gallons for about 10 bucks per 10 gallons. I got a 50 g off kijiji for 50 bucks, while if I were to buy it new it would cost more than twice that. Sometimes you can find tanks that aren't suited for holding water due to cracks or whatever and you can seal those cracks with a small tube of aquarium sealant (if crabs eat it, it won't hurt them, as it's human food grade cocking. 

Furniture:

The Dollar by EppInk">Store is a wonderful place to find hides, water pools, silk plants and food dishes. My dollar store of choice is Dollarama because I find they have better quality stock than most stores. Clay pots turned on their sides are good hides, tupperware containers make perfect water pools (I think they sell plastic canvas at the dollar store too so crabs can get out of the water pools) Silk plants are great for climbing and terra cotta dishes (used for holding the clay pots) Alternative hides not from the dollar store include: plastic takeout dishes with an opening cut in them or you could go on Kijiji and just browse the pet section (type in bird, toys or rodents) and you may be able to find gently used bird toys, like wooden ladders, those hanging coconut things or small animal hides, like those ones made out of sticks that you can shape into a little hut thing or small wooden huts for guinea pigs, rats or hamsters.

Stuff like substrate, marine salt and shells you can't really find them cheaper than what you find at the stores.

Next time: Feeding crabbies on a budget in Canada!

[crabbieworld]

This is relevant to my interests. 

That’s a nice crab

[crabbieworld]

Where do you work, at a local shop or a chain store? 

It's just so sad the attitude people have towards crabs, they're so much more complex than people think and I don't understand why the knowledge of their care hasn't progressed in the mainstream 

Me: I wonder if a 40 breeder will be big enough for my hermit crabs…

Coworker: well, they are JUST hermit crabs so they don’t really need that much room.

Are you kidding me, I have 12.  This is the same guy that told a family that gravel is perfect for hermit crabs only to have them come back and THROW A FUCKING FIT because they did some research and quickly realized that everything he sold them/told them was a lie/wrong.

 Hermit crabs are so disrespected.  

[crabbieworld]

Also found this precious lil hermit crab at the edge of a bay we’re staying on…I think he loves me.

[crabbieworld]

Funny thing is the another crab (I think Mr. Snips) did the exact same thing in the 50 g 

Peekaboo!

One of the new guys dug himself a burrow with a view! He’s probably going to molt in there.

And henceforth his name shall be Dig-Dug

[crabbieworld]

I actually found out what species this is. It's a thin striped hermit crab :)

Also found this precious lil hermit crab at the edge of a bay we’re staying on…I think he loves me.

[crabbieworld]

Many pet stores just don't care and the ones that do care don't know because hermit crabs as pets in the main stream has literally not changed since the 70's they're still using those terrible wire cages that they first used in the 70's. Stores like petsmart and petco have corporate standards they have to follow (which are literally almost always wrong, especially for fish,reptiles and more exotic animals) so trying to get them to change their standards for any animal is pointless because they literally can't even if they wanted to. Mom n' pop stores are the ones that may change if you give them a care sheet and a lecture but there are some stores literally don't care about their animals like this ghetto store near me that continuously give blatantly false information and keep their animals in way below sub standards and act like they know everything. 

tl;dr

Unlike reptiles, fish and pretty much every other animal in the pet trade, no one has bothered to change the public knowledge of hermit crabs for the better and I honestly don't know why because a hermit crab is just as deserving of a good life as any puppy or kitten. 

Why Hermit Crabs Make Bad Pets for Children

A lot of pet stores and tourist traps recommend hermit crabs as pets for children. I’m here to tell you why this is incredibly far from the truth, the way of crab is a difficult and time consuming. If you already know this: Good for you! You’re probably a crabber. If you don’t know why crabs make bad pets for children please read on.

Read More

[crabbieworld]

Where do you order your hermit crabs? I noticed you said you ordered your strawberries and I was just curious !

I actually ordered them at a local pet store and they were brought in from Missusaga (to Niagara Falls) if you're not in the area I don't know where you'd go to find some. Try going to local mom n' pop pet stores and give them the common name and the scientific name and ask them to see if they could get any in.

[crabbieworld]

My hermit crab is picking ee off the tank walls and eating it , is this OK?

Eco Earth is made from ground coconut shells so it’s totally safe to eat for crabbies, but not very nutritional. Crabs seem to know what they need in their diet and seek it out, maybe what you’re feeding isn’t covering all bases? Do a review of the hermit crab food pyramid and make sure every crab meal provides all essential nutrients. If you check their food and find that it’s nutritionally complete then maybe he just likes eating it, as long as he’s eating other healthy foods there’s no issue.