Watermelon can be fed to hermit crabs once or twice a week, perhaps as part of a fruit medley. It’s a source of vitamins A and C and potassium. Melon is also refreshing and hydrating.
Watermelon’s bright red color comes from a carotenoid called lycopene. The natural red pigment may help bring out a hermit crab’s species-specific colors.
When feeding watermelon to hermit crabs, offer them the flesh in small, bite-sized chunks. Remove the seeds because they contain traces of the chemical compound amygdalin.
If the odor of vinegar emanates from watermelon, it’s turning rancid. Melon spoils within hours in a hot, humid enclosure, attracting harmful bacterial microbes.
Suitability of Watermelon for Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs crave sweet tastes, so watermelon is a firm favorite.
The natural sugars are part of why hermit crabs like watermelon so much. Despite its sweet taste, watermelon is surprisingly low in sugar, comparable to raspberries and blueberries.
Advantages of Watermelon
The main benefit of watermelon to hermit crabs is its water content. The flesh comprises 92% water, so hermit crabs will be rehydrated while enjoying a sweet-tasting snack.
While the sugar content is moderate, it promotes the development of chitin. According to Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry, hermit crabs need chitin and calcium for a strong exoskeleton.
Watermelon is high in potassium, which optimizes fluid levels, muscles, and nerves. It also contains vitamin A for healthy eyes, and vitamin C bolsters the immune system.
Disadvantages of Watermelon
While the sugar in watermelon is fructose, it can attract insects, notably flies. Be wary of pests entering the hermit crab tank and disrupting the natural ecosystem.
The other concern surrounding watermelon is its lifespan. Watermelon starts to spoil within 2 hours when left out at room temperature. Consequently, it’ll turn even faster in a warm hermit crab tank.
Only offer melon when hermit crabs are active and hungry so that it’s quickly consumed.
Suitability of Parts of The Watermelon
To feed watermelon to hermit crabs, you must understand the various components.
According to the International Food Research Journal, watermelon is divided into three core parts: flesh, rind, and seeds. We’ll also assess the suitability of watermelon juice.
Flesh
The flesh of a watermelon provides health benefits and an appealing taste. Slice pieces of the flesh or use a melon baller, removing the rind and seeds (if applicable).
Rind
Watermelon rind is tough and devoid of nutrients. While the skin of watermelon is high in fiber, this doesn’t offer hermit crabs enough reward to justify consuming it.
Hermit crabs don’t have teeth, so they must break the rind down into tiny pieces using their claws. In their attempts to tear the rind apart, a hermit crab risks damaging its large cheliped (claw).
Seeds
The seeds are considered hazardous, posing a choking risk. Watermelon seeds also contain trace amounts of amygdalin, which converts to cyanide in a hermit crab’s body.
According to the Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, the amount of amygdalin in watermelon seeds is negligible. The effects will depend on the animal’s size and body weight.
In hermit crabs, watermelon seeds are likelier to have health-impacting implications.
Juice
Watermelon juice is a popular addition to water because it’s hydrating and refreshing. Hermit crabs enjoy the taste of a bowl of watermelon juice, but they’ll be getting more sugar.
Hermit crabs also like to submerge themselves in water and would do the same in a bowl of watermelon juice. This means they’ll get very sticky, causing them to feel uncomfortable.
The smell will also attract bugs and other unwanted pests. Also, watermelon juice will likely combine with a pure water source when the hermit crab tries to wash it off.
How To Offer Watermelon
Much of the weight comes from the rind and water content.
Small portion sizes are vital when feeding watermelon to hermit crabs. Remove the rind and seeds. Then, chop the flesh into small chunks or use a melon baller.
Put the pieces of watermelon in the tank and wait for the hermit crabs to descend on it.
Amount of Watermelon
Ideally, give hermit crabs watermelon once per week. This may feel wasteful as the fruit is so large and spoils quickly, but you could get a smaller portion or share the watermelon with the family.
Offer watermelon to hermit crabs twice a week during the hottest months. Avoid offering melon on consecutive days because hermit crabs will lose interest when consecutively fed the same foods.
Animal Behavior explains that hermit crabs instinctively look for food that differs from something they’ve recently eaten. Instead, offer something equally hydrating, like blueberries or sliced cucumber.
Watermelon is a welcome addition to a hermit crab’s diet, especially if they don’t drink enough water. Feed hermit crabs a variety of fresh fruits so they get more nutrients.
