Can Hermit Crabs Eat Oranges: Things to Consider When Feeding Oranges to Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs can eat oranges! Adding oranges to their diet will help them absorb water and food more efficiently. Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C and other nutrients to help your crab thrive. So, if you have an orange tree in your backyard or garden, try your hermit crabs and see how they like it!

How Many Oranges Can Hermit Crabs Eat? 

A hermit crab needs a small amount of orange daily to survive – just enough for its nutritional requirement. You can give your hermit crabs oranges at different points during their life – as a baby, juvenile, or adult. If you choose to give them an orange, make sure it’s small enough, so it doesn’t cause too much harm.

In addition, too much Vitamin C can cause digestive issues. If you want your crab to have access to an orange or two daily, put one into their tank each morning! Hermit crabs can eat oranges, but be sure to feed them in moderation because they’re high in sugar. 

Parts of an Orange Beneficial to Hermit Crabs

Orange Peel

Not only do they eat the fruit itself, but they also eat the peel. However, hermit crabs will not touch certain parts of an orange, including the seeds and area near the stem. Just be sure to cut them into small pieces first. In addition, you can give your hermit crabs a rough-cut piece of orange peel as part of their diet.

Orange Flesh

Yes, they love eating orange flesh! Secondly, by feeding them oranges every day, you help keep their digestive system moving and prevent any health problems from developing. 

Feed your hermit crabs oranges daily, cutting them into small pieces so they can eat the fleshy part. Additionally, if they’re not eating the oranges you’ve given them, put a piece of orange peel into their tank. This will encourage them to eat from your fruit dish!

Orange Juice

Hermit crabs only eat the fruit’s skin and juice aside from the other two that were previously mentioned – they will sometimes waste anything else. A small piece of orange will satisfy their hunger and give them the nutrients they need to grow correctly. 

Furthermore, feeding them orange juice every other day will help keep their digestive system moving and prevent health problems. 

Just make sure the juice you give them is diluted, so it doesn’t cause too much harm if they consume a lot of it (a tablespoon or two per crab is safe).

Benefits of Oranges to Hermit Crabs

Feeding your hermit crabs oranges daily is one of the best ways to ensure their health and growth. Some of the benefits include:

• Keeping their digestive system moving

• Preventing any health problems from developing

• Providing them with vital nutrients

• Encouraging their appetite

Risks of Too Many Oranges for Hermit Crabs

Feeding your hermit crabs too many oranges can harm their digestive system. This is because the fruit’s sugar will become concentrated in its system and likely become overenthusiastic when eating it. 

Over time, this could lead to health problems such as obesity or diabetes. Therefore, ensure to give your hermit crabs a limited amount of oranges each day while providing them with the necessary nutrients.

What Kind of Foods Are Bad for Hermit Crabs?

Like all crabs, hermit crabs prefer salt and sugar-free food. Here are four foods to avoid feeding them: 

High in Sugar or Salt

Hermit crabs cannot tolerate these types of food very well. These foods include iced coffee, sports drinks, candy bars, and cake. In addition, some people recommend avoiding giving them common household salt since hermit crabs can become highly interested in it and may even overeat.

Non-fresh Food

Hermit crabs need fresh food to survive. Avoid giving them food that has been in the fridge for a long time or food that’s been frozen. 

Foods That Are Choking Hazards

Some foods are choking hazards – like grapes, nuts, and pieces of fruit. Hermit crabs may be able to eat small amounts of these foods but should avoid eating large quantities at one time.

Foods That Are Hard to Eat

Hermit crabs may be unable to break down complex foods, so avoid feeding them foods like seeds or fruits that are hard to eat. Instead, offer hermit crabs fresh fruit and vegetables that they can quickly eat, and avoid feeding them foods that are high in calcium or grit.

Fruit Alternatives for Hermit Crabs

They’re even known to eat apples, bananas, and raisins! So if you’re feeding your hermit crabs fresh foods daily, ensure they have access to water. If they shrink or become weak, it’s time to give them a new food source. 

If you’re having trouble figuring out what your hermit crabs can and can’t eat, try feeding them a small amount of each food and seeing what they choose.