Improving the survival rate of land hermit crabs ( Coenobita rugosus) through artificial habitat design

Abstract

Coenobita rugosus is one of the most popular hermit crab species traded as pets due to its attractive colors, easy maintenance, and especially by its uniqueness in using others' shells as their home. The aims of this experiment were to improve survival rate of hermit crabs by providing their ecological needs in artificial habitat and to observe their behaviour in the designed artificial habitat. The experiment was conducted by designing five types of terrarium i.e. empty terrarium as negative control (TC); terrarium with separating system (T1); terrarium with separating system, hiding, and climbing space (T2); terrarium with separating system and burrowing space (T3); and complete terrarium with separating system and all spaces mentioned (T4). The best survival and growth rate were shown by T4 followed by T2 terrarium. T2 and T4 survival rate were significantly greater (p < 0.05) from the three other treatments. Despite the low survival rate, terrariums with separating systems could maintain the survival rate of land hermit crab in the first 6 weeks of the experiment compared to control terrariums. This proved that a separating system holds an important role in keeping terrarium's cleanliness thus decrease the mortality.