Hermit Crab Food Trials

New Product: Strawberry Feast

2012-02-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

Introducing our newest temptation: Strawberry Feast!

Hermit Crab Food
One 2x3" reclosable zip bag. Ingredients: Strawberry leaves, chick peas, beets, rose petals, rose hips, mountain grown dandelion greens & fireweed! Available at http://crabotanicals.etsy.com/ !

Sharing A Great Work of Art

2011-05-22T21:55:00.004-06:00

While browsing on Etsy.com (a site for hand-crafted, and one of a kind items) I discovered an amazing artist: fuzzypumpkin.

I asked her what inspired this unique work of art. She explained, "Well, I think jumping spiders are cute. My bf and others kept mistaking my jumping spider pieces for crabs...I didn't see the connection, i thought he was talking about fiddlers at first. Then he clarified."

Sharing a little about her professional life, and interests, she says, "As far as art goes, I just like random stuff. I like surreal scenarios...I've been doing this for some time now, but just only somewhat recently have been trying to make a living out of it. My full-time job currently is being the head cake decorator at a big company...while I like decorating cakes, the place I work at is more about mass-production and less about art."

Freshly Made Hermit Crab Food Available NOW!

2011-05-03T11:18:00.000-06:00

Shepherd's Milk is back in stock today! Also available: Maizin' Raisin, Tree Tops, Coral Calcium, and Seaweed Trio! Take a look: http://crabotanicals.etsy.com

Skip the Mall

2010-11-26T16:25:00.003-07:00

Trying to avoid the mall and big box stores this shopping season? Me too! The best, most thoughtful, meaningful, fabulous gifts on the planet can be found online at Etsy.com! You have to check it out! Handmade items, vintage items, one-of-a-kind items at direct from the artisan prices! Lots of crab-themed items too! Many vendors there are running Black Friday sales too!

2010-08-24T14:40:00.001-06:00

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(____)_
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Hibiscus

2010-08-20T08:13:00.004-06:00

Previously, I experimented with fresh hibiscus flowers from my garden. The crabs completely ignored them at that time. Well, this year, the blossoms were very plentiful, so I tried them in the crabitat again. This time, I got very enthusiastic results! The crabs spent a lot of time munching on the fresh pale pink petals. The stamen, leaves, etc were ignored. The green base of one whole flower was removed and pushed to the back of the tank by the crabs.

Of course, we already know that hibiscus blossoms are safe. I'm just reporting on the results I personally had recently.

Featured in an Etsy Treasury!

2010-07-13T08:15:00.001-06:00

Our products were featured in an Etsy Treasury! Please visit the link below and see all of the wonderful hermit crab items available on Etsy.com!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c3c6bd908386d91baa51917/dont-be-shy

New Product: Fern Frond

2010-04-05T12:20:00.003-06:00

Introducing an new, limited edition mix called "Fern Frond."

Ingredients: Wild-harvested swordfern, buckwheat, organic yellow cornmeal, sweet potato, apple.

A True Survivor

2010-03-10T16:29:00.003-07:00

I want to share a message I received from a crafter called oliviamoon whose artwork was featured on this site. She says: "I had a pet hermit crab, named Rockefeller, and he lived for 5-7 years. When I went off to college my younger and oh, so absent minded sister was to take care of him. Somehow...he got out and wasn't seen for a year and a half. My mom bought new carpet and when the guys came to install the carpet...they yelled for Mama to come into the bedroom where they were working. They had found something that they had never seen before...my poor, naked Rockefeller. He had out grown his shell but was nontheless thriving. Gotta love a happy ending!"

Sometimes it seems that hermit crabs are trying to die on us. But it seems that some of them are true survivors!

Keep On Crabbin' Now Offers Crabotanicals

2010-01-30T16:44:00.002-07:00

We are excited to announce that Keep On Crabbin’ is now selling Crabotanicals brand hermit crab food!
Known in the hermit crab forums as "Spidtat," Travis Wease has opened an online store. He has been researching the proper care of hermit crabs for over two years, and has experienced the difference that a varied, all-natural diet can make in the life of a beloved pet. His store features healthy mixes meant to provide easy choices for even the least experienced crab keeper (which is why Crabotanicals is a perfect fit). In an interview, he said regarding his mixes, "I really try to focus on the new crabber...it is just one less thing they have to worry about while learning how all the details so important to having healthy and happy crabs." He also offers an array of individual food items which is great for those who like to custom mix their own crab meals.
Please take a minute to visit Keep On Crabbin’ storefront. The website is beautifully done and the customer service is first rate!

Product: Goji Granola

2010-01-30T16:38:00.002-07:00

Announcing the release of our new product, Goji Granola.

Nutritious goji (lychii berries), assorted puffed grains, oats, and flaked coconut are drizzled with honey and a touch of black-strap molasses.

PRODUCT: Seaweed Trio

2009-12-27T21:45:00.008-07:00

Introducing Seaweed Trio!

Just a tiny portion of fine powdered Atlantic kelp, bladderwrack, and spirulina. Just a pinch sprinkled over your hermit crab's favorite food and you have a mega-dose of nutrients!

Available for sale now at http://crabotanicals.etsy.com/ !

Chia Sprouts

2009-12-01T16:20:00.004-07:00

Chia sprouts have impressive nutritive (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, B17, C, D, E, K) and antioxidant properties. They are well-know to be safe for hermit crabs. The seeds can be sown directly into the substrate of a hermit crab tank for a live plant feature. I have some sprouting in our tank now, but we have not noticed the crabs paying much attention to them yet.

Lots of wonderful information can be found here.

Alfalfa

2009-12-01T16:02:00.006-07:00

I've been researching the nutritional value alfalfa Medicago sativa (aka lucerne, lucerne grass)which is considerably high, often being called a "superfood." It sprouts easily and can be sown directly into substrate in a crab tank (if substrate is not wet with saltwater) for a live plant feature. But the deep root system of mature plants yield a higher mineral content than sprouts. All parts of this plant are safe an nutritive.

NOTE: Sprouts commonly found in grocery stores sold for salads might be alfalfa, clover, or a mix of radish and broccoli. All of these are safe for crabs.

Food Trial: Elm Tree Leaves

2009-10-05T16:27:00.002-06:00

I have had mixed reviews on Elm tree leaves in our crab tank. We have never had any hermit crabs show interest in leaves from mature elm tree leaves, but in Colorado we get these invasive elm tree sprouts everywhere and the crabs will eat the leaves from these young saplings fairly well. We consider the latter safe for consumption, but would advise against the leaves of well-established Elm trees.

Food Trial: Sorrel

2009-10-05T16:17:00.001-06:00

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) was offered to the crab tank and was received with more enthusiasm than spinach ever was. Like spinach, sorrel is high in oxalates, so it should be fed infrequently so as not to inhibit calcium absorption. It may be growing wild in your area and it is considered safe and nutritious.
Detailed nutrient information on sorrel can be seen here: http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Sorrel_Nutrient_Chart_-_100_grams

Zamboni vs. the Cherry Tomato

2009-10-05T15:57:00.009-06:00

Zamboni enjoyed his home grown cherry tomato.

"Harley"

2009-09-21T14:58:00.001-06:00

This is our new hermit crab named "Harley."

purple cauliflower

2009-09-08T12:26:00.003-06:00

Found purple cauliflower at the grocery store this weekend. Exciting to learn that this variety has increased antioxidants known as anthocyanin which cause it's purple color. This makes it interesting to those who are concerned with enhancing their hermit crab's coloration.

PRODUCT: Vital Vittles

2009-08-31T08:18:00.003-06:00

Our customers have been asking Crabotanicals to create a "Staple" food product—and we have done it at last! We are proud to introduce: "Vital Vittles"

Ingredients: Rice bran, organic coconut, exoskeleton (of snow crab, lobster, and shrimp), white oak bark, organic blue cornmeal, spirulina, parsley, rose hips. It is packaged in a 2X3 clear zipper baggie as usual, and the suggested retail will continue to be $4.00 each.

This is a great mix of the most nutritious proven crab favorites! While Vital Vittles covers basic crab nutrition, we highly recommend that you continue to offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats, etc. Even the best "staple" food product cannot fully satisfy the need for variety in your pet’s diet.

Store in a cool, dry place. Best if used within a year of purchase date.
Labels: product, pet food, hermit crab food, Crabotanicals, coconut, exoskeleton, oak, bark, cornmeal, spirulina, parsley, rose hips, staple, variety

PRODUCT: Wheat Savvy (limited edition)

2009-08-31T08:10:00.006-06:00

Introducing "Wheat Savvy"

Ingredients: Wheat germ, comfrey, rose petals, whole grain sorghum, dried apple peel.
Crabotanicals all-natural hermit crab food has been prepared with the wild diet in mind. This limited edition mix features the goodness of wheat germ and wild-harvested herb known as comfrey.

We are happy to have incorporated wild-harvested comfrey herb into Wheat Savvy. Comfrey has been a long-standing favorite of herbalists prized for its wide range of health benefits (from skin ailments to pulmonary complaints).

Store in a cool, dry place. Best if used within a year of purchase date.

PRODUCT: Coral Calcium

2009-08-31T07:59:00.009-06:00

Coral Calcium is a rich source of calcium which your hermit crab needs to grow and maintain a healthy exo-skeleton.

Crabotanicals have packaged our coral calcium in a tiny acrylic container which can be used as its own dish when the lid is removed. We suggest that you nestle the container directly into the substrate for stability. Or you can simply add a pinch of calcium on top of your crabs’ food. This product comes from Okinawa, Japan.

This was a very popular form of calcium with our hermit crabs. The first time I set a teaspoon of coral calcium powder into the tank, the dish was "licked" clean by morning! The second offering was laced with spirulina, which they did not find nearly as appealing. I took a little on my tongue and it was tasteless as I anticipated. I was expecting it to feel gritty, but it had a surprisingly smooth, velvety texture. I have been adding it to my own fruit and yogurt smoothies ever since. Although, if you intend to use it yourself, you should invest in a 1lb. bag which costs about $25.00. We have provided you a mini-portion for $3.00 suggested retail.

This would be a wonderful thing to incorporate into your crab’s diet before, during, and directly after a molt. Here at Crabotanicals, we prefer to offer our calcium supplement separately from food so as to allow the crab to control his calcium intake. When it is incorporated into a food mix, it is done so moderately.

Currently, this product is only available for sale at Etsy.com.

FOOD TRIAL: Comfrey

2009-08-31T07:46:00.001-06:00

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a hardy herb that caught our interest because of its beauty and its reputation as a super herb with a myriad of health uses. It is known to be a good source of calcium and protein, which also made it a possible hermit crab nutritive. It is thought to be a very healing herb, even being nicknamed "Knit Bone." It is used topically for cuts, sores, ulcers, and burns because it stimulates growth of new cells. It calms inflammation and aids the digestive and respiratory systems. (We would like to experiment with using it as a poultice for hermit crabs with shell rot and bacterial infections in the future.)
(photo)
Well, we experimented by offering both fresh and dried leaves. The hermit crabs enjoyed them in either form. The small flowers did not get much attention, but we consider them as safe as the leaves since the entire herb (flower, and leaf) are used as a whole herb in most cases. We hope to conduct future trials on the root.

New Ecuadorian Crab

2009-07-15T17:39:00.003-06:00

Introducing our newest edition. We found him at a little petshop and loved his vivid colors. Now we have an Ecuadorian hermit crab species to try out our cuisine. Hope he's got a big appetite!

Divine Wisdom

2009-07-10T14:21:00.004-06:00

You must have noticed that the earth furnishes us with everything we need, both to exist and to enjoy life. Scientists are hunting for cures for diseases in the world’s rainforests, because they have strong faith that whatever we need will be found on this planet. Somehow it became fashionable to doubt the existence of a Creator, but we are surrounded with evidence that there was a Master Designer of everything in our universe. This can be seen from the smallest to the largest scale, from the tiny atom to the vast heavenly bodies. And so it should not surprise us that even the humble hermit crab provides a glimpse into God’s divine wisdom.

Hermit crab survival depends on having and maintaining good armor. Half of their body is covered by a hard exoskeleton, which they produce miraculously, but their soft abdomen is left vulnerable. However, these crustaceans instinctively know to seek shelter in seashells discarded by their aquatic neighbors, the mollusks. Hermit crabs cannot survive for long without these abandoned houses. This sort of symbiotic relationship is commensalism, since only one benefits from the arrangement while the other is unharmed. Why would an organism evolve a dependence on a different organism for it’s very survival?

Interestingly, some marine hermit crabs also have a sort of symbiotic relationship called mutualism, wherein both parties benefit from the relationship. The hermit crabs partner up with an anemone. The anemone gets to transport to greener pastures by hitching a ride, fastened to the hermit crab’s seashell. The hermit crab is protected from predators by the anemone’s poisonous appendages.

All life is interdependent. This is by design, not by chance. Instinct is programming; the programmer is God. He is well deserving of praise for his magnificent works. The manner in which we care for the earth--and the beings on it--is a reflection of our level of appreciation.

“For His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.” --Romans 1:20

Harvest Mulberries NOW!

2009-06-20T10:59:00.002-06:00

The mulberry trees are bursting right now, but they won't fruit for long. So, be sure to harvest as many as you'll need this year--NOW! The leaves and bark are also edible for crabs as well.

The berries can be dried or frozen for later use. My crabs don't like berries very well, but I mix them into other foods so that they get the antioxidants and other nutrients.

Hermit Crab Video - Vadar Eats Kale

2009-05-20T08:06:00.002-06:00

Hermit Crab Eats Kale

Toy Austrailian Shepherds

2009-02-24T09:27:00.004-07:00

Many of you may know what a help my cousin has been in providing wild harvested ingredients for Crabotanicals. Well, her true passions are horses and dogs. She has a fabulous new website featuring Toy Australian Shepherds called Wild Horse Ranch Aussies! If you're a dog lover, check it out! Great photography of wild areas of Washington state as well!

Canned Foods--Is there any real risk?

2008-12-19T08:21:00.005-07:00

Crabotanicals recommends avoiding canned foods unless the food cannot be found fresh or dried. Water chestnuts and black olives are well-liked by hermit crabs and are seldom available in any form but canned. There are many concerns related to canned food including human grade salt, preservatives, the leaching of metal, and now BPA. Even jarred food has some risk. Here's an interesting article.

Hermit Crab Smuggler

2008-12-10T07:58:00.001-07:00

This was a sad news story that affects the integrity of our interest in hermit crabs. 191 smuggled hermit crabs.

Product: Color Surge

2008-11-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

Ingredients: wild grape leaves, spinach, parsley, beet, basil, spirulina, coconut, walnuts, strawberry leaves, dandelion, quinoa, hibiscus, carrot, rose hip, kale.

COLOR SURGE Crabotanicals all-natural hermit crab food is made from hand-harvested wild grape leaves gathered in Colorado. Formulated with natual nut oils & foods rich in color-inhancing nutrients for maximum color. (Nutrition is an important factor that affects a hermit crab’s coloring. Colors and shades vary between each individual and from one species to another.)

Comparison: Seed Savvy

2008-09-24T12:50:00.007-06:00

Crabotanicals wants you to understand what you’re providing when you feed our products. To that end we’ve provided some nutritional information on some of the main ingredients of our product called Seed Savvy below. These figures aren’t in proportion to the serving size or the package itself since 100 grams of each ingredient would not fit into the bag. Still, we hope that this chart will help you to understand the strengths of certain foods incorporated into this product and get an overall feel for the way we combine various foods to compliment one another to create a balanced formula.

(100grams)	------	Sun flower seeds	Pumpkin seeds	Amaranth grain	Sesame	Quinoa
copper	mg	1.8	.1	.8	4.1	.6
sodium	mg	3	1	21	11	5
protein	gram	22.8	1	14.5	17.7	14.1
A	IU	50	7385	0	9	14
magnesium	mg	354	12	266	351	197
betaine	mg	?	?	7.6	?	630
beta carotene	mcg	30	3100	?	5	8
calcium	mg	116	21	153	975	47
omega3	mg	69	3	57	376	307
omega6	mg	32628	2	2834	21372	2977
zeanaxanthin	mcg	0	1500	?	0	163

Comparison: Berries

2008-09-23T11:51:00.009-06:00

Color components of various berries:

(100grams)	Beta carotene	Zeanaxanthin	Betaine
-------------	mcg	mcg	mg
Elderberry	n/a	n/a	n/a
Cranberry	36	91	.2
Raspberry	12	136	.8
Blueberry	32	80	.2
Strawberry	?	?	?
Blackberry	128	118	.3
Mulberry	9	136	?
Grape	39	72	.1

Other noteworthy nutritional information regarding various berries.

(100grams)	Calcium	Protein	Copper	Fiber	A
---------	mg	gram	mg	gram	IU
Elderberry	10	.7	.1	.9	600
Cranberry	8	.4	.1	4.5	60
Raspberry	25	1.2	.1	6.5	33
Blueberry	6	.7	.1	2.4	54
Strawberry
Blackberry	29	1.4	.2	5.3	214
Mulberry	39	1.4	.1	1.7	25
Grape	10	.7	.1	.9	66

Trial: Prostrate Pigweed

2008-08-29T16:13:00.006-06:00

Amaranthus blitoides is a yard weed usually known by the common name: Prostrate Pigweed. It grows in a creeping fashion along the ground on succulent pink stems.

Our food trial on the leaves of this plant proved to be very good. Much of the cluster of leaves put in the tank were devoured by morning. No harmful effects resulted. This is a relative to amaranth or redroot which is also safe for hermit crabs.

Crabotanicals Store

2008-08-25T15:10:00.003-06:00

Crabotanicals has just begun selling a handful of products on Etsy.com (the place for buying and selling handmade items). We suggest you bookmark the site and return as it develops further and more items are listed for sale.

Sister Site

2008-08-20T18:24:00.005-06:00

We are proud to announce that we have been accepted as a sister site under the Crustacean Coalition of The Crab Street Journal! This is indeed an honor, for it signifies that our ideals and practices are recognized as being sound and beneficial to crab-keepers everywhere!

Oxalic Acid and Calcium

2008-07-31T17:32:00.002-06:00

Oxalic acid blocks calcium absorption. That is a big concern to hermit crab keepers who realize the importance of calcium in their pet’s diet. Calcium is necessary for formation and maintenance of exoskeleton. Therefore the question arises: What are safe levels of oxalic acid and how often should foods high in oxalic acid be offered?

Extensive research has been done on oxalic acid’s affects on humans since kidney stones are thought to be formed by crystals formed when oxalic acid combines w/ calcium, iron, and other minerals. These crystals (oxalates) form in the digestive system and once they enter the bloodstream the calcium particles are too large to be absorbed and are eliminated as waste through the kidney and bladder. How this process translates into hermit crab physiology is uncertain, but calcium that is rendered unusable is reason for concern.

Some cautiously avoid all high oxalic foods altogether, but this may not be the best course of action because many of the foods in this class are otherwise highly nutritious. Many of the ingredients recommended for beginning crab keepers are somewhat high in oxalic acid. So, what is one to do? Some sources say that the oxalic acid affect can be reduced or eliminated by heating, but that could harm many of the other valuable nutrients in the plant. Success rests on understanding the complete nutrient content of the high oxalic acid foods you are considering and weighing the risk vs. benefits. Spinach, for instance, is very high in both oxalic acid and calcium. Mathematically, the oxalic acid content probably renders nearly all of the calcium unavailable. However, if you figure in the fact that B6 and magnesium also present in spinach retards the chemical binding of the calcium*, the typical result is that hermit crabs will still get some calcium from spinach as well as a whole host of nutrients like beta carotene, zeaxanthin, A, and potassium. So, from that point of view, your crab should eat spinach--unless he happens to be prone to kidney stones!

It is important to determine how much oxalic acid is in the foods that you feed so that you can offset it with other sources of calcium, iron, and other minerals. If you know you are feeding a high oxalic food, consider dusting it with powdered cuttlebone and offering a low oxalic food the following day. High oxalic foods are best avoided during pre-molt and post-molt. Unripe fruits and vegetables tend to have higher oxalic content, so a ripe (red) bell pepper is better than a green bell pepper. Also, young shoots tend to have more oxalic acid than mature leaves as in the case of spinach.

High Oxalic Acid Content:
Buckwheat, starfruit, parsley, poppy seed, rhubarb, amaranth, beet leaves, spinach, Swiss chard, beets, banana, plantain, ginger, cassava, nuts, berries, beans, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, soybeans, tomatillos, oats, pumpkin, cabbage mango, eggplant, lentils, parsnips.

Low Oxalic Acid Content:
Dandelion greens, most ripe fruits, kale, watercress, escarole, mustard greens, turnip greens, broccoli, tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage.

*Here is the formula I’ve developed:
oxalic acid (mg) X .097 = x, x - total calcium (mg) = actual absorbable calcium

Avocado leaves

2008-07-28T15:57:00.003-06:00

Avocado leaves. Humans can eat the leaves which are reported to taste like anise, but the avocado leaf contains a toxin called persin which can cause digestive problems in livestock.

After purchasing some over-ripe Hass avocados, we planted an avocado pit in some organic potting soil. It has grown into a nice-looking houseplant, and like all things green eventually end up the subject of a hermit crab food trial. The first leaf we put in the tank disappeared. When it’s remains were recovered we realized that Shredder had taken it into his burrow and it had sustained him through a successful molt. Since then, the tank's inhabitants have devoured 3 more avocado leaves without any problems.

Product: Cherry Pom-Pom

2008-07-23T12:19:00.003-06:00

Ingredients: Cherries, egg, pomelo, pomegranate, organic coconut, rose petals, wild raspberry leaves, chamomile.

Dichotomous Tree Key

2008-07-16T13:19:00.002-06:00

See HERE for help identifying trees.

Exclusive Products

2008-07-09T13:16:00.006-06:00

The Happy Hermit Crab was the first distributor to believe in Crabotanicals and we are proud to have them as our business partners because of their impecible sense and superior customer service. We are so grateful to them for giving us our start, that we made a special arrangement with them to supply an exclusive line of wild-harvested food mixes. Wild Autumn Harvest has been available for some time. We are proud to announce the introduction of Wild Spring Harvest:

We plan to do Summer and Winter versions as well.

Mulberry Tree Bark

2008-07-08T16:54:00.002-06:00

We cut up a young mulberry tree sapling, stripped off the leaves, and added the branches to the tank as a climber. The hermit crabs took to it very quickly, climbing about and stripping little portions of the bark off to eat. The branch has been in there for 2 weeks now and all of the crabs are fine. So, we can now add mulberry bark to our safe foods list along with the fruit and leaves of the same tree!

"Harvestables"

2008-07-02T10:12:00.002-06:00

Hermit Crab Central has started a wonderful list of items their readers can harvest themselves as well as helpful hints on hand-harvesting. Clever as always, Tetracolor and Kilimanjaro have titled the list: Harvestables. They are inviting us all to share discoveries of crab-edible plants from our own locale. To contribute to the list, just email the suggestion to uHarvest@live.com.

Testimonial

2008-06-30T14:10:00.005-06:00

We were thrilled to receive this photo-testimonial via email:
"Kilimanjaro says that the tea-trio flavored cuttlebones and essential cuttle is a thumbs up! He was double-fisting it in this picture:"

Product: Perky Turkey

2008-06-30T12:37:00.004-06:00

Ingredients: Turkey, artichoke, parsley, banana, wheat, tomato, eggshell, salt, honey.

Crabotanicals all-natural hermit crab food has been prepared with the wild diet in mind. This limited edition features home-made turkey jerky cured in a wholesome honey and sea salt.

Product: Gone Fishing

2008-06-30T12:22:00.004-06:00

Ingredients: whole dried trout, curly dock, blackberry leaves, russian olive leaves, bloodworms, parsley, red clover blossoms, oyster shell.

Crabotanicals all-natural hermit crab food has been prepared with the wild diet in mind. Inspired by a relaxing fishing excursion, this limited edition features wild-caught trout and other items collected on the trail.

Mango Tree

2008-06-24T09:10:00.006-06:00

Very ripe fruit from a mango tree (Mangifera) are relished by hermit crabs. They even eat the peel and the nut safely.

With some difficulty, we were able to remove the nut from the pit without damaging it. We planted the nut (saddle-side-up) in some organic potting soil and started a beautiful house plant indoors. The plant in the photo looks a little droopy, but the leaves straightened up as it aged a bit. When it is a little older we will conduct trials on the leaves and report our findings here.

The sprout and the young plant are pictured here:

Golden Currant

2008-06-23T16:06:00.004-06:00

Trial in progress for golden currants Ribes aureum, also known as "buffalo currants", and sometimes "wax currants." The pre-screen process indicates that the blossoms and ripe fruits are edible (for humans).

Wikipedia's edible flower list

2008-06-23T16:02:00.003-06:00

Ran across this list of flowers considered edible for humans. It might prove to be helpful when pre-screening possible test subjects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edible_flowers

THEORY: Humidity & Appetite

2008-06-06T13:17:00.003-06:00

I have been wondering and theorizing for some time whether hermit crabs have better appetites in higher humidity. When I have humid conditions, my crabs tend to find a new item in the food dish within moments and head there instinctively.

Well, last night I was watching a program on PBS that explained how dogs track scents with their noses. One particular thought drew my notice: the moisture expelled through the dog’s nose as he sniffs the ground reconstitutes the molecules of bruised vegetation, intensifying the scent. This seemed to have more to do with the effect of moisture on scent molecules, than on the dog’s magnificent nose.

One source (http://www.buckstopscents.com/content.asp?id=556) says,
"Many factors affect scent and how it travels. Most important are wind, temperature and moisture. A warm, moist, still atmosphere enhances a deer's ability to pick up scent molecules.
Both rain and falling snow carry the molecules of scent to the earth and dilutes them. Light mist and heavy fog block scent from carrying great distances. High humidity, between 50-70%, is ideal for scenting purposes and will make deer very nervous. Because more scent is carried to them, they become double alert.
Low humidity, between 10-20%, works against deer because the nasal passages have a tendency to dry out and it hampers their ability to pick up the scent molecules.
High temperatures cause air convection, and the rising thermals carry the scent molecules upward before they can reach a deer.
Extremely low temperatures also handicap a deer because the scent molecules are pushed downward.
Air movements play a big role in the deer's ability to use its sense of smell. Ideal scenting conditions mean a humidity of 20-80%, with temperatures of 40-60°F, coupled with breezes up to 10 MPH. Under these conditions, a deer will detect danger a half a mile or more away."

Hermit crabs use their antennae to identify and locate scents and I theorize that higher humidity (such as one would find in a well-maintained crabitat) aids the crab in this process of foraging for food and that a scent made stronger by moisture might stimulate the appetite.

How does this theory fit with what you’ve experienced? I welcome your comments!

Product: Ethiopian Sunrise

2008-05-05T17:26:00.007-06:00

Ethiopian Sunrise

This limited edition mix celebrates the exotic flavors of Ethiopian cuisine.

Ingredients: Teff, peanuts, avacado, bladderwrack, kale, apple, peas, safflowers, beets, sweet potato, pumpkin.

Labeling Policies

2008-05-05T17:20:00.005-06:00

Banners

One challenge we face in producing Crabotanicals is that there is only a brief window open to harvest some seasonal ingredients. For example, crabapple tree blossoms only appear on the trees for about 2 weeks and in our locality the unusually strong winds scattered the blossoms making hand harvesting very difficult. As a result, we were not able to gather enough to produce Crabapple Bouquet in large enough quantities to outlast consumer demand for the coming year. We expect to sell out in a short amount of time with no hope of restocking until next spring. In order to convey the seasonal nature of a particular mix to our customers, we are going to indicate these with a label banner that will read: Seasonal.

When you see this banner, you know that there may be some risk of availability issues with this product. Other varieties contain seasonal items, but the harvesting window is much longer and the ingredients easier to harvest in large quantities so we can produce those year-round without expecting supply problems.

Once in a while, we are able to obtain large quantities of an unusual ingredient for a low price, which we happily incorporate into a new product mix. But the prospects for finding a similar opportunity thereafter is too remote for us to reasonably expect to continue to produce the product due to price or availability issues. Or the preparation of the mix may be too labor-intensive to be viable long-term. This sort of product will now be labeled: Limited Edition.

This mark will indicate to consumers that once stock of these items is exhausted, they should not expect to see it again. If a “limited edition” mix receives unusually high demand, Crabotanicals may make further effort to obtain the necessary ingredients or reformulate the mix to make it more affordable so that we can continue to meet demand without raising prices.

Disclaimer

After producing our first product to contain peanuts, our commitment to the safety of our consumers who might have severe food allergies widened considerably. We have always taken great care to disclose all ingredients on our label. All workspaces and instruments are cleaned thoroughly between food preparation batches to avoid cross-contamination of any kind.

While consulting with our local business development center, the recommendation was made to include a disclaimer that would inform the users of our products as to the nature of other food types prepared in our facility. So, as new products are unveiled and distributed, you will begin to see the following statement on our labels:

Made in a facility that processes nuts, shellfish, soy, wheat (gluten) and milk products.

We hope this knowledge will arm you to make personal decisions to ensure that your individual health is not adversely affected by any traces of allergens you may come in contact with inadvertently through the use of our wholesome products.

Product: Kandy Korn

2008-03-17T14:21:00.005-06:00

This corn is popped in walnut oil, drizzled with 100% pure maple syrup & unfiltered honey, then dusted with powdered apple and dates. It ought to satisfy any crab's sweet-tooth!

Comparison: Summer Squash

2008-03-17T13:37:00.011-06:00

(100grams)	----	Yellow crookneck	Eggplant	Zucchini	Chayote
A	IU	150	27	200	0
beta carotene	mcg	90	16	120	0
zeaxanthin	mcg	290	0	2125	0
C	mg	8.4	2.2	17	7.7
fiber	g	1.9	3.4	1.1	1.7
calcium	mg	21	9	15	17
omega3	mg	62	13	47	36
omega6	mg	38	6.3	28	21

Comparison: Seaweeds

2008-03-17T13:34:00.009-06:00

(100grams)	----	Spirulina	Laver	Kelp	Irishmoss	Wakame
copper	mg	.6	.3	.1	.1	.3
sodium	mg	98	48	233	67	872
protein	g	5.9	5.8	1.7	1.5	3
A	IU	56	5202	116	118	360
magnesium	mg	19	2	121	144	107
iron	mg	2.8	1.8	2.8	8.9	2.2
beta carotene	mcg	?	3121	70	71	216
calcium	mg	12	70	168	72	150
omega3	mg	42	81	8	47	188
omega6	mg	64	4	20	2	10
folate	mcg	9	146	180	182	196

Comparison: Apple vs. Crabapple

2008-03-17T13:29:00.005-06:00

(100grams	----	Apple	Crabapple
A	IU	54	40
C	mg	4.6	8
calcium	mg	6	18
omega3	mg	9	15
omega6	mg	43	73
fiber	g	2.4	?
sugar	g	10.4	?
zeaxanthin	mcg	29	?

Alternative to Painted Shells

2008-03-12T11:01:00.005-06:00

Of the dozens of suitable shells he has to choose from, Zamboni chose this Petholatus seashell from The Crabbage Patch online store! They have palm trees (as pictured), dolphin, and other designs as well. I think it is a great alternative to painted shells--carved and polished shells are more beautiful than any painted shells I've seen.

Product: Essential Cuttle

2008-02-15T13:08:00.004-07:00

Cuttlebone, being a known source for calcium, is considered a staple element of the crab tank. Crabotanicals has flavored their Essential Cuttle with three more important elements to a hermit crab's diet: blackstrap molasses (known to be packed with iron, niacin, and potassium), unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar (a new, important discovery with seemingly limitless benefits), and salt (a vital nutrient).

Product: Tree Tops

2008-02-15T12:56:00.008-07:00

Crabotanicals introduces a new product: Tree Tops
Hermit crabs love munching on dry leaves, especially those of deciduous trees. The leaves give them a great source of fiber and tannin, and so help aid digestion and enhance color.

Contains leaves of: Cottonwood, Russian olive, Basswood, and Scrub Oak.
This product is available at The Crabbage Patch and The Happy Hermit Crab online stores!

Want help identifying the leaves? Click Here!

Nutrient Ratios

2008-02-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

The pet industry has established certain ideal ratios for balanced nutrition with regard to many animals kept as pets such as dogs, cats, and horses. For instance, I am told that dogs should have a 1.1:1 ratio of calcium to phosphate. The exact ratios for hermit crab nutrition have not been firmly established in part because their nutritional needs depend greatly on the changes in their environment (time of year, temperature, etc.) and in their own body processes (such as moulting, egg-laying, etc.).

The absence of established numeric values frustrates some crab-keepers who formulate their own homemade meals. But, for most of us, a series of numeric values to calculate wouldn’t be very practical either. We do know that protein and calcium should make up a considerable part of their daily intake and we know that certain minerals like copper and nutrients such as iodine and zeaxanthin are important to specific biological functions. The prevailing crab wisdom says that if you offer a large variety of nutritious, safe foods, then the crabs will pick and choose for a healthy balance. Since their nutritional needs fluctuate and those fluctuations are difficult to predict, having availability to whatever foods those physiological changes might require is vital. Offering many different foods is key to covering a wide range of nutrients.

Product: Kelp Korn

2008-01-31T14:39:00.002-07:00

Popcorn is a universally known crab-favorite! We've popped our corn in extra virgin oils (coconut & olive), dusted them with kelp, rice bran, and spirulina to make them a super snack!

Look for them to be for sale at The Crabbage Patch soon!

Warning: Onion & Garlic

2008-01-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

Garlic is a common ingredient in a lot of commercial crab food. They put it in for scent, but it is not acceptable for crabs.

http://www.symbianize.com/showthread.php?t=5746 says "Onions and garlic have a chemical that damages red blood cells in dogs and can cause anemia. Even one small whole onion can cause death. So be particularly careful when disposing of left-overs that contain a significant amount of onions, such as pizza or Chinese take-out. The small amounts of onion and garlic powder used in pet foods is safe and well below the toxic levels."

When you're talking about trace amounts of onion or garlic in crab food, however, one needs to remember that a crab's entire meal is a "trace amount" and therefore no level of toxicity can be considered safe.

Product: Tea Trio

2007-12-31T15:20:00.003-07:00

Three Tea flavored cuttlebone cubes.
Chamomile (yellow)
Rooibos (orange)
Hibiscus (blue-green)

Product: Vegetable Barley

2007-12-31T15:16:00.003-07:00

Ingredients: organic barley, mushroom, potato, mixed vegetables, mealworms, walnut.

Bee Pollen

2007-12-10T11:23:00.001-07:00

Honey and bee pollen are important additions to your hermit crab's diet. There is a great website pages about the chemical and nutrient make-up of bee pollen here:
http://www.envirobee.com/beepollen2.htm
http://www.envirobee.com/beepollen3.htm

Crabotanical's Spiced Pumpkin contains bee pollen.

Special Announcment: Vinegar

2007-12-03T09:41:00.001-07:00

libbysmom from the Hermit Crab Association has made an important discovery regarding vinegar. She has been experimenting with unfiltered apple cider vinegar. The hermit crabs eat it with eager enthusiasm and often soak in the liquid. In the past, some crabbers felt that vinegar would compromise the exoskeleton by breaking down the calcium, but now there is some indication that it might prove to be medicinal treatment for limb ailments. More research on this is sure to follow, but at least we know that they can eat vinegar.

It should be noted that pickled items from a jar contain an inferior grade of vinegar. We recommend that you get a high-grade vinegar such as Bragg's brand organic, unfiltered apple-cider vinegar with the "mother" beneficial bacteria included which you can find at most heathfood stores and some general grocers.

Product: Fall Feast

2007-11-27T14:32:00.001-07:00

Ingredients: sycamore tree leaves, wild asparagus, blue hubbard squash, carrot, spaghetti squash, zucchini, eggplant.

Product: Winter Wonderland

2007-11-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

Ingredients: organic coconut, burning bush (leaves & berries), hibiscus blossoms, organic basil, spinach, cherries.

Product: Spiced Pumpkin

2007-11-27T14:13:00.001-07:00

Ingredients: pumpkin, carrot, bee pollen, organic rooibus, rose hips, organic millet.

Reconstituting Crabotanicals

2007-11-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

My crabs prefer to eat dry kibble, and so I usually serve Crabotanicals right out of the bag. But the kibbles could certainly be moistened for variety. They could simply be wet down a bit with dechlorinated water, or saltwater. The kibbles could be stirred into applesauce or cottage cheese, or dressed with honey, molasses, or pure maple syrup. 100% fruit juices, organic milk would be wonderful. Whenever I split a coconut, I always freeze the coconut milk into tiny ice-cube trays which can be thawed to pour onto other crab food and is always a hit with the hermit crabs.

Oil. One of my favorite ways to serve Crabotanicals is in oil. You could use some cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or (my favorite): extra virgin red palm oil. The Happy Hermit Crab sells a high-quality oil product that is half coconut and half red palm that I highly recommend for a bi-monthly or weekly offering.

Broth. In our home we boil meats in the crockpot on a regular basis and that unseasoned liquid is sometimes used to wet dry crab food. Also, we usually have some green liquid in the bottom of the pan after steaming vegetables like broccoli.

Tea. Another option is to brew some herbal tea to reconstitute the dry foods. True teas contain caffeine which is not recommended for crabs, but hibiscus blossoms, chamomile blossoms, spearmint leaves, organic basil, etc. can be bought and made into a “tea.” The food could be soaked in hot tea and served for crabs once it has cooled.

Comparison: Peppers

2007-11-02T09:27:00.000-06:00

(100 grams)	---	Green bell	Yellow bell	Red bell	Jalapeno
Calcium	(mg)	10	11	7	10
Beta carotene	(mcg)	208	120	1624	455
Zeaxanthin	(mcg)	341	?	51	492
Vitamin A	(IU)	370	200	3131	799
Vitamin C	(mg)	80.4	183	128	44.3
Folate	(mcg)	10	26	46	47

All colors of bell peppers are a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin A, C, B6, niacin, etc.

Some crab keepers have avoided feeding jalapenos because of the concern about possible effects of capsasin which causes a burning sensation when you eat them. Some invertebrates are sensative to this substance to such an extent that the juice of peppers is used by gardeners to repel harmful insects. These fears can be completely laid to rest now that proper food trials have been conducted. Peppers have been a regular part of my crab diet for some time and jalapenos are no exception. I regard them as safe and nutritious.

Comparison: Winter Squash

2007-11-02T08:53:00.001-06:00

(100 grams)	---	acorn	butternut	pumpkin	hubbard
Calcium	(mg)	33	48	21	14
Beta carotene	(mcg)	220	4226	3100	820
Zeaxanthin	(mcg)	38	0	1500	?
Potassium	(mg)	347	352	340	320
Vitamin C	(mg)	11	21	9	11
Dietary fiber	(g)	1.5	2	.5	?
Protein	(g)	.8	1	1	1.2
Omega 3	(mg)	26	26	3	131
Omega 6	(mg)	16	16	2	79

Human-edible winter squash are all safe for crabs. The peel, the blossoms, and the seeds are also edible. Next autumn, I hope to conduct trials on leaves of several squash plants. Winter squash is a very good source of vitamin A (butternut having the most, followed closely by pumpkin). Hubbard has 5 times the omega fatty acids that the others do.

CAUTION: Seasonal gourds sold for decorative purposes may be poisonous and should be avoided even though they may be sold alongside edible varieties in the grocery store.

Comparison: Honey, Molasses, Maple Syrup

2007-10-19T15:17:00.000-06:00

(100 grams)	-----	Honey	Molasses	Blackstrap Molasses	Maple Syrup
Sugars	(grams)	82.4	55.5	N/A	59.5
Calcium	(mg)	6	205	860	67
Magnesium	(mg)	2	242	215	14
Potassium	(mg)	52.0	1464	2492	204
Zinc	(mg)	.2	0.3	1.0	4.2
Copper	(mg)	0.0	0.5	2.0	3.3
Manganese	(mg)	.1	1.5	2.6	3.3
Protein	(g)	.3	0.0	0	0
Omega 6	(mg)	0.0	50	0	100

Honey may look like the least of these, but it should be remembered that this is only a glimpse at a few nutrients. Honey is full of phyto-nutrients, the importance of which is only recently coming into the scope of our understanding. What bees feed on while producing honey can drastically change the nutritional make-up of a certain honey. Some exotic honeys actually have flavoring added to them, and these flavorings and their suitablility for use in crab food should be scrutinized cautiously before feeding. However, most honey's are named for the types of flowers the colony of bees is feeding on such as buckwheat honey, clover honey, citrus blossom honey, tamarisk honey, etc.

Wild Poinsettia

2007-10-03T13:33:00.000-06:00

Conducting a trial on Wild Poinsettia (thanks to Slick for identification--see comment)http://home.att.net/~larvalbugrex/poinsettias.html says "Euphorbia dentata is called toothed spurge, wild poinsettia, and tooth-leaf poinsettia. It is not often included in wildflower books, but grows profusely in our yard."

This appears to be the kind growing in my yard that oozes a milky juice when picked which usually indicates the presence of natural latex.

Tank went directly over to the plant when it hit the sand and ate a bit of it. Trial will continue when my crabs finish a group molt that is occupying their attention.

Nut-bearing Trees

2007-09-14T12:10:00.000-06:00

Wanting to gather info on nut-bearing trees. If you have info related to this topic, please comment!

Product: Maizin' Raisin

2007-09-12T11:22:00.002-06:00

Ingredients: raisins, cork bark, cornsilk, corn husk, apple, elderberries.

Product: Pond Scum

2007-09-12T11:06:00.001-06:00

Ingredients: Cattails (pollen, leaf, seed, rhizome), mosquito larvae, algae, rice bran, tamarack, crickets, clover. Additional feature: sample of The Crabbage Patch’s own high quality worm castings!

Silk Tree

2007-09-10T11:49:00.000-06:00

Silk Tree
(Albizia julibrissin, aka Persian Silk Tree, Pink Siris, Bastard Tamarind, Nemu tree, Lenkoran Acacia or Mimosa). Silk trees are found in the southern half of the United States, in Japan, and in Europe. The specimen tested in this food trial came from a street tree in Colorado where they are not known to range naturally. The seeds are used as a food for livestock and wildlife, and the sweetly-scented flowers are a good nectar source for bees which makes this an interesting subject for food trial purposes. My hermit crabs completely demolished a frond of leaf and the blossom could not be found (either consumed or burried). All of the tiny leaves where pulled off and eaten. So far the seed pod remains untouched.

Evening Primrose

2007-08-31T14:50:00.000-06:00

Evening Primrose (Mentzelia decapetala, aka Nuttallia decapetala)

I found this humble weed growing on the ranch where I harvest much of the items for my food trials. The attention that it had gotten from the bugs excited my prospects for it as a source of food for my hermit crabs. However, I could not identify it. But with the help of South West Colorado Wildflowers, I was able to determine that I was actually looking at evening primrose. Well, I was encouraged by the fact that it is known to have various health benefits for humans. So I collected and dried a large batch of blossoms for trial. However, even after various offerings, the crabs did not sample any of the dried blossoms. Perhaps next year I will give more attention to the leaves, which part the bugs seem to favor.

Mint

2007-08-31T14:41:00.000-06:00

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is on the UNSAFE list.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is safe.

Catnip (Nepeta, aka Cat Mint, Field Balm) is on the unsafe list but I had often questioned this for two reasons: 1) no explanation is ever given as to why a food has a negative rating, 2) other plants in the mint family are safe, 3) insects did not avoid it. When I found catnip growing wild on the ranch where I harvest for Crabotanicals, I wanted to conduct a food trial on it to satisfy my doubts. I put into the tank a flowering top complete with seeds, blossom, and some leaves which I was careful to bruise since the fresh oil is said to attract cats. The hermit crabs did not avoid the plant, but certainly did not eat any of it. So, there is not enough evidence to overturn the unsafe rating—especially since more conclusive evidence might have landed it on the unsafe list to begin with.

Crabotanicals might eventually branch out into foods and snack products for pets other than hermit crabs. If so, catnip for cats may very well be the first. Cat lovers would certainly enjoy treating their kittens to wild-harvested catnip!

Product: Seed Savvy

2007-08-20T10:56:00.001-06:00

Ingredients: Sunflower (seeds, leaves, petals), organic quinoa, organic amaranth, pumpkin seed, hemp seed, psyllium seed, organic white & black sesame seed, organic flax seed, mixed wild grass seeds.

(Due to high oil content, this product is best kept refridgerated).

Product: Shepherd's Milk

2007-08-17T15:49:00.003-06:00

Introducing Shepherd's Milk:

Ingredients: Showy milkweed, whey, Norwegian kelp, lambsquarter, organic buckwheat, shepherd's purse.

(100grams)	----	Whey		Lambsquarter	-Buckwheat-
-protein-	-grams-	-12.9-	-4.2-	-12.6-
-calcium-	-mg-	-796-	-309-	-41-
-fiber-	-grams-	-0-	-4-	-10-
-zeaxanthin-	-mcg-	-0-	-?-	-220-
-sodium-	-mg-	-1079-	-73-	-11-
-folate-	-mcg-	-12-	-30-	-54-
-omega3-	-mg-	-9-	-36-	-71-
-omega6-	-mg-	-25-	-313-	-877-
-potassium-	-mg-	-2080-	-452-	-577-
-A-	-IU-	-30-	-11601-	-0-
-C-	-mg-	-1.5-	-80-	-0-
-copper-	-mg-	-.1-	-.3-	-.5-
-magnesium-	-mg-	-176-	-34-	-251-
-B12-	-mcg-	-2.4-	-0-	-0-

Seeds and Nuts

2007-07-23T17:12:00.000-06:00

Many human-edible seeds and nuts are relished by hermit crabs. These are a great source of protein and omega fatty acids.
Beechnuts--(see comment by Jedediah).
Coconut--a hermit crab favorite, probably abundant in their natural habitat. The husk is also readily eaten.
Walnut--a favorite food in my crabitat. I also feed the papery "guts" of the walnut shell.
Sunflower seed--well-liked food. I am not sure whether they eat the shell or not.
Mango pit--safe.
Pumpkin seed--actually, most squash seeds are safe.
Melon seeds are best avoided since many of them have toxic components.
Papaya seeds are best avoided, although I would like to work up the courage to do a food trial on them since the ones stored in my basement (I mean to make houseplants of them) attracted mice.
Peanuts, pecans, Brazil nuts (even the rancid ones) are all eaten safely by crabs.
Grass seeds and grains fit for human consumption are all considered safe.

Berries

2007-07-19T16:26:00.000-06:00

Berries have great antioxidant properties as well as color enhancers.
Strawberries and their blossoms and "tops" are known to be safe.
Elderberries (see photo) and their blossoms are safe (thanks to CrabbyOne for this info--see comment). Raw elderberries have a small toxic element that is removed by heating. This toxin is highest in the unripe fruits. All green portions are very poisonous.
Mulberries and their leaves are safe (although they should be fed in moderation until more is known about natural latex and it's affect on crab physiology).
Cranberries are safe.
Blueberries are safe. I want to test the leaves soon.
Raspberries are safe.
Blackberries are safe.
Gooseberries are safe.

Will edit this thread and add to it as more comes to light.

Product: Coconut Commotion

2007-07-09T13:44:00.001-06:00

Ingredients: cottonwood bark, wheat germ, coconut, psyllium husk, flax seed, mango pit, black sesame seeds, parsley, cuttlebone.

Very good stuff. High fiber and omega fatty acids! (Due to high oil content, this product is best kept refridgerated.)

Product: Banana Bean

2007-06-26T14:05:00.001-06:00

Tamaracks

2007-06-26T13:58:00.001-06:00

Tamaracks Tamarix (tamarisk, aka "salt cedar") are invasive plants that have delicate flowering branches. They easily take over a moist environment near streams and ponds and drink up more than their fair share of the water causing surrounding plants to thirst. They also saturate the soil with a type of salt in which other plants cannot thrive.
Tamaracks begin blooming in early summer and fill the air with a beautiful fragrance.
The blossoms are pale pink to violet and so caught my interest. I put the dried blossoms in the crab tank repeatedly without ever being able to catch them in the act of eating it. Each time the dish was disturbed by being overturned, buried in sand, or its contents spread about. But I could not confirm that anyone had done more than dance around in it. Finally, the last portion that I put in disappeared completely with no traces, and the surrounding area remained undisturbed indicating that it was most likely eaten. The trial is not conclusive until I can visually confirm a crab eating the stuff, but I was eager to make some report about it. This entry will be edited as better results come to light. Perhaps the drying process dulls the fragrance and is therefore less attractive.

There is a nice photo of them here:
http://www.ucweeds.org/weedlist/tamarix/
UPDATE: 2/26/08 Trial finally received more conclusive results and the response was so positive that we've incorporated the blossoms and seeds into our product called Pond Scum. More trials need to be done on the greenery and bark.

Herbs and Spices

2007-06-26T13:23:00.001-06:00

Generally speaking, spices do not make good subjects for hermit crab food studies because most of them are extremely bug-repellent. You may have heard a bay leaf can be put in flour to keep out the weevils. Or I have poured a cinnamon barrier around my crab tank to keep out ants that were attracted to poppyseeds in my beachsand. If you decide to feed one of the rare spices that are known to be safe for crabs, please beware of the form in which you buy it because they often have anti-caking agents and other preservatives that could be harmful.
Basil is safe (see comment by Jedediah).
Parsley is safe. Dried parsley must be kept out of the sun to retain it's color.
Garlic is on the unsafe list.
Onion is on the unsafe list.

Several herbs are known to be safe for hermit crabs. Here are a few:
Chamomile (aka Manzanilla)
Parsley
Stevia (trial conducted by LolaGranola; see comment)

Natural Pet Health Blog

2007-06-18T12:06:00.000-06:00

Crabotanicals has a very nice mention on the Natural Pet Health blog. Check it out!

http://www.natural-pet-care.com/natural-pet-health-blog/exoticunusual-pets/crabotanicals/

Flower Gardening

2007-06-18T11:27:00.001-06:00

Flower gardening is a rewarding hobby for those who enjoy beauty and color. Crab keepers have this added bonus: your hermit crabs LOVE to eat flowers. Insufficient research has been done on what is and is not safe for hermit crabs. There are some lists available, but they are based on the physiology of birds, lizards, and turtles--which are very dissimilar to hermit crabs. All plants contain toxins, so the plants that make the list are low in toxins known to cause problems in the particular animal for which the list was created. Still, these lists are a great place to start "pre-screening" a certain plant, and some of them include nutritional content which is invaluable!
http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/nutrient.htm
http://www.practical-pet-care.com/article_view.php?ver=3
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww38eii.htm
http://www.epicureanhermit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&amp;amp;amp;id=20&Itemid=9

It is my hope that our readers will share their own trials here, so that we can begin a safe flower list that is specific to hermit crabs. Here are some of the blossoms that have been proven successful with crabs:

Roses—all varieties of roses are safe (wild and tame varieties) as far as we know. Petals and rose hips are safe. Rose hips have lots of vitamin C and can also be found dried with the seeds removed in most healthfood stores. LolaGranola of Naturally Crabby has had a successful food trial on rose leaves.

Carnations—petals are safe. Avoid feeding all other portions.

Sunflowers—all parts seem to be safe. My crabs have never given the bright yellow petals any notice, but the unroasted, unsalted seeds are well liked. My crabs have spent some time feeding on leaves, although I would not call it a favorite food.

Violets—flowers and leaves are safe. My crabs have never shown these much attention, but other crab keepers have had better success. These pop up in lawns voluntarily, so the biggest concern when harvesting is finding a specimen that has not been exposed to turf builders, weed control products, and commercial fertilizers.

Pansies—are safe. Johnny-jump-ups are included in this category.

Tulips—petals are safe and well-received in the crabitat either dried, fresh, or frozen. (I think my crabs prefer them to be dried.)

Daylily—most lilies are poisonous, but this one seems to be the exception. Petals from the daylily are safe for crabs. You may have seen them in an Asian market where they are labeled “golden needles” (usually dried) and sold as seasoning for soup.

Those believed to be unsafe are:
daffodil, iris, ?

Vegetable Garden

2007-06-18T11:02:00.001-06:00

Hermit crabs love when their owners are gardeners! Fresh vegetables are very nutritious. Much research has already been done regarding which vegetables are safe or unsafe, so I will just mention some of the bits that we usually discard.
Blossoms (of zucchini, pumpkin, summer squash, cucumber, etc.).
Tuber tops (of carrot, turnip, radish).
Stems (of cilantro, parsley, broccoli, and cauliflower--leaves too, etc.).
Skins/peels (of many safe vegetables like eggplant, etc.)
Leaves of many plants might be hermit crab edible. We want to try leaves of melons and squashes, peppers, okra. Corn leaves are edible as well as celery leaves.
I know many of our readers will be testing many of the items found in their vegetable gardens this year, so please comment about your results here!
If you're not a gardener yourself, why not create a little garden in your window box or sow seed directly into your crabitat! Yes, bird seed, alfalfa seeds, mung beans, barley, etc. can be sprouted in a shallow container in the crab tank. Once I grew a carpet of sprouts right in the substrate and the crabs ate it and treated it like a soft grassy place in which to lie around).

Crabotanicals featured in CSJ newsletter

2007-06-13T12:35:00.001-06:00

Crabotanicals and it's creator (yours truly) were featured in the May 2007 issue of The Crab Street Journal Newsletter! Two entire pages were dedicated to how we got our start and how we find inspiration for our products! To subscribe to the journal please go to:
http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6194

Product Development: Mayan Papaya, Salad Savvy

2007-06-13T08:27:00.000-06:00

Introducing a new mix:

Mayan Papaya

Ingredients: papaya, organic blue cornmeal, chamomile, red bell peppers, cilantro, plantain, and a hint of lime.

Salad Savvy

Ingredients: wild prickly lettuce, whole dandelion, carrot, spinach, broccoli, pea pods, tomato, celery, shrimptails, and traces of other salad fixin's.

Tropical fruit

2007-06-06T11:04:00.000-06:00

Ripe or over-ripe tropical fruit is a well-known favorite of land hermit crabs, but some of the parts we disgard may be crab-edible and nutritious.
Pineapple--the plant is a bromiliad and therefore safe as a food source. The pineapple top can be fed as well as the skin (wash thoroughly w/ warm water and vegetable brush to eliminate pesticides if not organically grown) and tough core can be sliced, dried, and ground for easy consumption.
Mango--mango is a favorite food in our crabitat. Cubed mango works well fed fresh or frozen for later use. Sliced mango dries well in a dehydrator making it possible for the leathery skin to be utilized as well (pulverize dried slices in blender or grinder). Recently, we dug the seed out from the pit, thinly sliced it, dried it, and fed them to the crabs. They ate some of them on the first and second feedings with no ill effects, so the pit is safe too. I planted one in a flower pot in hopes of making a houseplant of one so that I can test the leaves as well.
Papaya--is well-liked by hermit crabs. Papayas contain a lot of latex, especially before they are ripe so there may be a need to feed in moderation (but the affect of latex on hermit crabs is unknown at this time). The Hermit Crab Addiction administrator has established that papaya leaves are safe too.
Banana--The secret to getting crabs to eat banana is to let the skin turn black and the over-ripe fruit is a favorite. Crabs completely ignore "green" bananas. We want to test the skins and banana leaf, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Bananas are notorious for being loaded with pesticides, so it is best to invest in organic in this instance. Crabbers have definitely put peels in the tank, and no ill-effects were reported. Whether the peels were eaten or not, I cannot remember. If you've tried it, please comment on this post.
Plantain--This is much like a banana, but not as sweet. Crabs will eat them, but only if they are very ripe.
Kiwi--(aka Chinese gooseberry) contain latex and were not well-liked by my crabs, but have good nutritional properties and are safe.
Starfruit--safe.
Dragonfruit--safe (see comment by brad873).
Many dried fruit products have added chemicals to preserve coloring and are often dipped in a sugary syrup to make them "candied," so these should be avoided. Canned products should also be avoided, especially if the product is highly acidic as in the case of pineapple.

Product Development: Lilac Bouquet, Citrus Rose Bouquet

2007-06-04T14:52:00.000-06:00

Announcing two new products!
Lilac Bouquet
Ingredients: lilac blossoms, cottonwood tree leaves, alfalfa, pear, yellow corn, mulberry leaves.
Citrus Rose Bouquet
Ingredients: rose petals, orange, mango, dandelion leaves, brown rice, eggshell, rose hips.

Coming soon to The Crabbage Patch and The Happy Hermit:

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Happy-Hermit-Crab

http://www.thecrabbagepatch.com/sfnt.htm

Seaweed

2007-06-04T13:59:00.000-06:00

Norwegian kelp Laminaria (aka Oarweed, tangle, tangleweed) was put in the tank and within a few minutes, one purple pincher came to investigate and eat a couple of bites before moving into his midday hangout. Seaweeds are highly nutritious, but crabs usually need to be coaxed into eating them (by smothering them in something irresistable or mixing them with favorite foods, etc.). For this reason, I prefer pulverized products that can be sprinkled on fruit or "dissolved" into applesauce.
Spirulina, nori, dulce, and many other sea vegetables should be included in every hermit crab’s diet on a regular basis. Be careful not to buy seasoned varieties.

Cattails

2007-05-31T15:52:00.000-06:00

Cattails (or Bulrush in Britain) Typha are well known as a plentiful survival food. The book Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains by H.D. Harrington says “it has been called ‘an outdoor pantry’…no one should starve or even grow hungry in an area where cattails are abundant.” Humans can safely eat all parts of the plant including the tender young shoots, the flower, the rhizome, and the seeds. But can a hermit crab benefit from it as well?

Our trial begins with the leaf. I cut a 3” piece of leaf, dried it, and put it in the crab tank. It was ignored on the first several tries, but finally it sparked some interest. The leaf was re-hydrated by the moisture in the sand and the fibers were shredded from it as one might pull the fibers from a stalk of celery. I did not witness the encounter, but am relatively certain that the plant has no substantial toxic components. I hope to have more conclusive results in the future.

The pollen-laden flowers, located just above the velvety “tail,” are reported to be rich in protein so we began a trial on them as well. It appears that about half of the amount I had served had disappeared overnight and the remaining flowers had very little pollen left indicating that the pollen is indeed the richest and most desirable portion of the plant. The trial is still in its preliminary stages, but I wanted to post this now while our readers still have time to collect a bit this year and store them until the trial is complete.

Later in the fall the rhizome will be ready. It contains 30-46% starch. If I can work up the courage to wade into the smelly black swampy mud, I will gather some of this rootstock to be the subject of a future experiment.

The seeds and their down will also be the subject of another food trial.

Linden Tree

2007-05-18T11:46:00.001-06:00

We tested Basswood or Linden trees Tilia americana last summer and the fragrant flowers were eaten with no adverse affects. I intend to do more thorough trials on this tree and it’s European varieties (sometimes called a lime-tree). They are native to Eastern North America but are used as “street trees” in city landscaping throughout the USA.
There is a beautiful detail photo here:
http://www.nysite.com/nature/flora/basswd.htm

UPDATED 5/31/07: Since I couldn't recall with certainty whether the crabs had eaten the leaves before, I re-tried it. The crabs spent quite a bit of time tearing at the leaves. As you see in the photo, the flowers are not quite ready yet. So, the crabs showed a marked preference for the leaves over the flower buds. Perhaps that will change once the flowers open up and release their fragrance.

Must Be Doing Something Right

2007-05-17T15:56:00.001-06:00

I must be doing something right! Zamboni just surfaced from a molt looking fabulous as usual. I bought him because he had beautiful coloring which I took as a signal of good health. He used to be a dusty eggplant color with a brilliant purple claw. He is very shy and I rarely get to watch him eat. I only know that I try to provide a varied diet void of junk food and he is a constant member of my food trial population. I was so happy to see that his gorgeous color has not faded, but to the contrary has actually IMPROVED!

Special thanks: Crabworks

2007-05-16T15:38:00.000-06:00

Special thanks to Carol of Crabworks and her 30-year old hermit crabs for inspiring me to be a better crabber!
http://www.geocities.com/hermit_crabs/carol/

Thanks for your help editing the care sheet!www.freewebs.com/crabotanicals/CrabotanicalsCaresheet.doc