Crab Barn

[jncoclub]

I really don’t have any interest in hermit crabs, but the second I saw the “Crab Barn” at the mall, I knew I had to ask.
At the mall, in the middle where they have different vendors in a rollaway carts, there was this guy whose cart was called the “Crab Barn”. He had a huge set up with probably crabs. It was set up kind of on a large turtle table with sand, rocks, sponges (which I assumed held water) and a bunch of painted shells for the crabs to go into. Questions:
-I have no idea what a proper set up is for crabs, but is this kind of a crude set up? No real water access, no heat or humidity controls.
-You could pick your own shell for the crab, which came in horribly tacky painted varieties. (If I were a crab, I would clearly make fun of the other crabs that wore tie-dyed painted shells with a big smiley face on the top, but that’s just me, as a crab.)
-There were so many crabs that I think a sheet was just throw over the cart at night so no one stole it. I don’t think they sell too many of them, there was no line near the man with crabs. (Sorry, I just made myself giggle.:p )
I’m not too sure what sort of responses I’m looking for, but this cart at the mall just seemed really odd to me, almost not right. What’s your opinion on the Crab Barn?

:atom:

[jncoclub]

I meant to say, "with probably 50 crabs" in his cart.

[Tim and Julie B]

That is pretty funny! Also a very weird idea for a buisness. Tie died hippy crabs :D Hahaha! Hermits are really easy to take care of and do not need a lot but they deffinatly need a sponge to drink water out of. Now if he was really smart he would let people paint their own shells. Of course selling hermit crab out of a cart called the Crab Barn in a mall is probably not the best buisness venture anyways. Too funny.....The Crab Barn.

[Colonel SB]

Yeah it's pretty lame but ingenuative.

[OttawaChris]

Hermit crabs have been becoming quite trendy in these parts... I know at least one person making a decent amount of coin off them.

[marisa]

The ones I have seen are totally RUDE if you ask me!

Hermit crabs can live 25+ years, and I have read of one near 40. yes its just a crab but I guess it depends on what animals you feel are worth more than others.

To achieve a long lived hermit crab, and one that is larger than a softball, a fairly involved set up is needed, especially since the larger ones have an incrediable hard time molting. Humidity needs to be high, and the need to be warm but not hot. Some people even suggest they need both fresh and brackish water. Since they live near the sea, they normally have acess to both in the wild.

Most people keep them in incrediablly small tanks, and give them plain crab food. These crabss love veggies, all human foods, and need a variety.

Sure its just a crab, but when I kept them they were really really neat to watch, and after awhile you could tell who in the tank was "rough" and who was more shy. Some would run over to eat from us right away, some would hide in their shells. They are really cool pets.

Marisa

[jncoclub]

Regrdless, a man with crabs in a mall doesn't make me want to run over to him to give him money!;)

[marisa]

Good point!

Marisa

[Beejay]

Crabs Rock! I think so anyhow. They're probably my favourite animals out of my snakes, lizards and cat.

:D

Funny idea for a business cart though lol

Bj

[Darlene]

It is a funny but very unique idea. We have kept one before tho I can't remember how many years old he was (7?). My kids have been asking to have them again & I know that table would have held their attention for a long time. Most parents would have a hard time getting their kids away without buying one or more , I'm sure. I know I wouldn't have got away without at least 3 or 4 !!

[Conas]

a got interested into hermit crabs via a store like that. I bought a crab w/ a shell painted like a football, then 2 months later i was hooked. The crabs at the mall here are $3, or you can go to a pet store and pay $7 each! Since crabs are inside their shell, i don't think they notice the tie dye :) What's the differences between painting a shell and breeding just to have an albino? I hate that people who will treat the crab bad have really easy access to purchase crabs, but these crabs are hardy and can toughen almost anything out.