We've Got Crabs

About two or three weeks ago, David took the girls for the day so that I could get some things done.  While they were gone, they visited Grandma Kathy at the mall.  The next thing I knew we had a purple and pink hermit crab named Sofia (after Sofia the First). Sofia had a nice little set up with a pink coconut hut, palm tree, shell food dish and a water bowl.  After reading the flyer that was sent home with her, we realized that hermit crabs are not solitary creatures. In the wild, they are usually found in groups of a hundred.  So back to the mall they went to buy a playmate for Sofia.  Our second crab, named Prince Sponge Bob, has a shell painted like Sponge Bob.

Once we got the crabs home, David and I began researching how to care for them.  We were surprised to learn that their current living conditions were less than ideal and would shorten their lifespans significantly.  (As pets hermit crabs can live 5-30 years and even longer in the wild.)  Apparently, crabs require a lot of space to roam and things to climb on or hide in.  They also have specific temperature and humidity requirements and need daily misting.

So off to the pet store we went.  About $160 later we came home with a very nice "crabitat" complete with a castle, clam shell with pearls, another coconut hut, logs, and trees.  I think it's safe to say that they are two very spoiled crabs.   Now lets just hope that the girls aren't too rough on them and we can keep them alive.

Sofia is a more active than Sponge Bog which makes it impossible for them to hold her.  When held, she will crawl all over you.