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Safeguarding Hermit Crabs from Drowning Hazards

Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Joanne Harper

There are differences between the environments marine and land-based hermit crabs need to breathe.

Aquatic hermit crabs should be primarily exposed to water, while land hermit crabs spend most of their time on terra firma. This is why you should never put them together in the same tank.

Healthy land hermit crabs remain underwater for about 20-30 minutes. They need small amounts of water to keep their gills moist, enabling them to breathe when temporarily submerging themselves.

While terrestrial hermit crabs need access to water, these pools shouldn’t be overly deep. Also, provide ramps and accessories so they can get out of the water if their legs don’t reach the ground.

Marine Hermit Crabs Need Water Exposure

Marine hermit crabs won’t drown. However, they need the right temperature and salinity levels to survive. Without optimal conditions, they won’t thrive and may even perish.

Aquatic hermit crabs have large, prominent gills near their front walking legs.

They breathe by absorbing oxygen from saltwater and transferring it to their gills. Oxygen then reacts with the blood, releasing carbon dioxide through the mouth as tiny bubbles.

Aquatic hermit crabs spend their time in water. The wetter their gills, the more oxygen they can inhale.

According to the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, saltwater exposure changes hermit crabs’ breathing rate because the oxygen reacts to the water in their gills.

how long does it take for a hermit crab to drown?

Why Land Hermit Crabs Eventually Drown

While hermit crabs must dampen their gills to breathe, they can’t remain submerged for long.

According to Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, hermit crabs will experience breathing difficulties when exposed to overly dry environments, suffocating as their gills gradually dry out.

They need escape routes to get out of the water when oxygen levels are near depletion.

Less Developed Gills

All hermit crabs have gills, but they need water to breathe.

According to the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, land hermit crabs have much smaller gills, so they can’t spend as much time underwater as marine hermit crabs.

The gills of a land hermit crab are located in the brachial chamber. These moist gill chambers have blood vessels that enable gas exchange.

The chamber and gills work like lungs, allowing hermit crabs to breathe through the air instead of the water. However, they must obtain oxygen from humid air to breathe.

Hermit crabs have a unique physiology, enabling them to store and retain water in their shells.

Terrestrial hermit spend most of their lives on dry land, periodically entering the water for around 20 minutes. They do this to bathe, dampen their gills, and store water in their shells.

Time It Takes Land Hermit Crabs To Drown

Marine hermit crabs can breathe underwater for as long as necessary. There’s a risk of other environmental factors threatening their lives, such as extreme temperatures and low salinity levels.

Land hermit crabs can only breathe underwater for around 20-30 minutes. There’s no hard-and-fast rule. Juvenile or sick hermit crabs may only last 10 minutes underwater before they succumb.

Hermit crabs have an innate sense of how long they can survive and will exit before they perish.

Preventing Hermit Crabs from Drowning

Hermit crabs can’t swim and need ways to escape the water in emergencies. The options include:

Ramps

Ramps are the most effective way to prevent hermit crabs from drowning because they provide a quick means of exit. You can get plastic mesh ramps from aquatic stores that hermit crabs can easily grip.

Plastic canvas ramps are another sound option because they’re inexpensive, easy to clean, and don’t rust. Check the ramps to ensure that hermit crabs can walk up and down, free from obstructions.

drowning hermit crab care

Water Pools

Hermit crabs need external water sources, including two pools of water (freshwater and saltwater).

One pool should contain dechlorinated freshwater, while the other needs marine salt. Never use table salt because iodine is highly toxic to hermit crabs.

Opt for pools with a simple design, providing a direct exit path. While pools with different levels may be visually appealing, they may confuse hermit crabs, increasing the risk of drowning.

Water Depth

Don’t fill a pool too deep because hermit crabs may not be able to get out. The water should be deep enough for hermit crabs to submerge themselves to moisten their gills or drown parasitic mites.

Humidity

Humidity introduces moisture to the air, enabling hermit crabs to breathe easily. A hygrometer can measure the humidity level. Use a misting spray to add moisture if levels are low.

Follow the 80/80 rule when setting up tanks, which involves:

  • A humidity level of 80%.
  • A temperature of at least 80 degrees.

You can lose hermit crabs due to drowning if the setup is wrong. Consequently, always ensure the tank setup is suitable (shallow water, easy exit points via ramps, etc.) to minimize the risk of drowning.