The following is a glossary of terms and their definitions frequently used in conjunction with the care of land hermit crabs. If there is an abbreviation that is commonly used (see full list), it will be indicated in capital letters at the end of the definition.

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    L    M    O    P    R    S    T    U    V

Abdomen: The soft area of the crab that is behind the head and thorax. It is the area contained inside the shell. AB
Antennae: are the longer, outer pair of "feelers" and are used for touching and sensing other crabs and objects.
Antennules: are the shorter, inner pair of "feelers" and are used for tasting and smelling food/water.
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Bathing: The practice some crabbers use to moisten a crabs gills and rinse out its shell in the event that mites are found on the crab. Typically the crab is placed in a container (not a sink) filled with room temperature dechlorinated water with the shell opening facing up. The water should be deep enough to fully submerge the crab. When the crab emerges, the water rushes into its shell and flushes out any irritants. The crab is then removed and allowed to dry off. Do not allow a crab to remain under water for more than 2-3 minutes or it may drown.
Big Pincher: The larger chela (KEE-la), or claw used primarily for climbing, protection and defense. BP
Brackish Water: Slightly salty water with an average specific gravity of 1.005
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Carapace: The hard protective outer shield located on the top of the crab in front of the abdomen.
Chirping: Sound that crabs will sometimes make when feeling threatened or to communicate with other crabs. It is not known exactly how they make the noise...it has been suggested that they have chitinous plates inside their bodies that they can vibrate together to produce the sound. It is a mystery-much the same way a cat's purr is a mystery.
Chitin (KY-tin): One of the materials that makes up the exoskeleton of the crabs.
Cholla/Choya Wood: The hollow skeleton of the Cholla Cactus. Choya is the same thing, but the word choya seems to have originated because of the pronunciation of the double L sound in the Spanish language. Cholla makes a great climbing toy for the crabs because the placement of the small holes all along the length of the wood makes it easy for their legs to grip.
Compressed coconut fiber bedding: Ground up coconut husks that have had the moisture extracted and have been compressed into a "brick" for rehydration at a later time. Used as a substrate, it retains moisture well and will boost your humidity if you have trouble keeping the levels within the preferred range.
Crabber: One who enjoys keeping crabs as pets. Also some of the most cool people you will meet.
Crabitat: Term used to refer to our tanks that house our crabs. A crab habitat.
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Decapod: A crustacean that has 10 legs.
De-chlorinator: Drops that are used to remove chlorine from any water that is offered to the crabs or used in misting, preparing substrate, or boiling shells. Look for drops that also remove chloramines and heavy metals. Do not use any that contain aloe vera or other agents that provide a natural slime coat for fish.
Distilled Water: Water that has had all of the chlorine, minerals and nutrients removed from it. Do not use for drinking water due to the lack of necessary trace elements. However, it is acceptable for misting the tank or use in a humidifier if you have exceptionally hard water. It will eliminate the mineral deposits on the side of your tank that sometimes form when using tap water.
Dropped Limb: Crabs have the ability to self amputate (autonomy) or drop a limb that has been damaged or caught in or on something. They will later regenerate it during a molt. Many times the regenerated limb may be smaller than the original limb, but will eventually become full sized again after another molt or series of molts.
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Ecdysis (Ek-DY-sis): The second stage of molting when the crab builds up water pressure and sheds its exoskeleton. First stage is proecdysis and the third stage is metecdysis.
Ecysone: The hormone that is related to the molting process.
Ethoxyquin: A toxic, synthetic anti-oxidant that is used in pesticides. Because of it's anti-oxidant properties, it is also used as a preservative in many commercial fish and crab foods. Do NOT purchase food with this chemical additive. Many foods that contain fish or bone meal have had ethoxyquin added prior to being used by a manufacturer, therefore, it will not be listed as an ingredient on the label. Prolonged exposure will prove fatal. ETHO
Exoskeleton: The outer body covering that is made up of protein, chitin, and calcium. A crab that has molted will ingest it's exoskeleton as a source of calcium. EXO
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Feeder Claw: The smaller cheliped (KEE-li-ped) used primarily for eating and climbing.


Gel limb: Refers to a small bud (gel-like in appearance) that will begin to form at the location of a lost limb. Many times molting follows shortly there after and a new, functioning limb will be present after molting. If just a lower section or tip of a leg is broken off, it will not form a gel-limb at the location of the break. Only if the crab drops the entire limb can a gel-limb form.
Gills: Organ used by the crab to breathe via gas exchange. Hermit crabs have modified gills and therefore require a humid environment in which to survive. The gills are located on the side of the crab above its walking legs.
Gonopores: Two tiny little holes located on the underside of the last pair of walking legs. These tiny holes are what transfer sperm and eggs in the reproductive system of the female crab. They are only visible on the female crab. Male crabs have spermophores which are placed into the gonopores to release sperm during mating.
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Hermit: A misleading term when it comes to our ten legged friends! Despite the name, (which actually refers to the fact that the crab has no home of his own) hermit crabs travel in groups, sometimes up to a hundred or more. A hermit crab "borrows" a vacant snail shell (or other suitable house).
Hydrometer: Device used to measure the specific gravity or density of a substance (such as salt) in water. The specific gravity of sea water is around 1.020 - 1.026 depending on the ocean. The Indo-Pacific is around 1.022-1.025 and the Caribbean is around 1.023-1.026
Hygrometer: Device that measures humidity. Generally speaking the ones on the market measure "relative" humidity. A crabs habitat should ideally have a relative humidity of 70-80%.


Isolation Unit/Tank: A separate tank that is kept away from the main tank and is used to house a new, sick or molting crab. Generally consisting of moist (sand castle consistency) sand that is at least 6-8 inches deep. Temperature and humidity should be elevated slightly and the tank should be placed in a dark, quiet area to make conditions more ideal for molting. ISO


Lethargic: Slow moving due to lack of energy. Crabs are often lethargic prior to an impending molt.
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Maxillipeds: Very small feeding pincers that take food from the chelipeds and pass it to the mouth. Also used for grooming.
Mites: A very small, sometimes parasitic arachnid that is found on crabs. They are generally white or black and red. The only way to get rid of them is to bathe the crab several times, consecutively. If the infestation is severe, you may want to first bathe in a prepared salt water, then rinse in fresh dechlorinated water. Repeat until they are gone. DO NOT use any mite remedy that is available. Mites and crabs are closely related and any treatment to kill mites will kill your crabs.
Molt Sack: The small, black food sack (looks like a "bubble" located underneath the crab on the left side. It holds the food stores that provide nourishment for the crab during molting.
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Osmoregulate: The ability of the crab to control its body's water content. This is one reason it is imperative to offer both fresh and salt water to your crab irregardless of the species.


Pre Molt Symptoms: There are several things that can indicate that a crab is preparing for a molt. One or even two signs are not an absolute way to determine if your crab is getting ready to molt or not. If your crab exhibits most of these signs, the chances are good that you will soon have a freshly molted crab in your tank.
     1. Excessive digging
     2. Prolonged or frequent visits to the food & water dishes
     3. Ashy/dull/grayish exoskeleton
     4. Opaque/dull looking eyes-like a cataract in a human
     5. Black molt/food sack located under the left side of the crabs body
     6. Lethargic behavior
     7. Slowed/confused antennae movements


Reduced Fourth and Fifth Legs: These are the legs that are used to anchor the crab in its shell.
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Salt Water: Water that has been dechlorinated and prepared with a salt mix recommended for use in an aquarium. NOT Table salt. Table salt contains [i]man-made iodine[/i] which is toxic to hermit crabs. Natural iodine from sea water is not. In fact, natural iodine (which can be found at it's highest natural concentration in seaweed) is essential for successful molts and the overall health of your crab.
Setae: The hair that is located on your crabs legs and near its mouth. These hairs are simply extensions of the crabs outer body covering and will be shed during a molt.
Shell Fight: This occurs when one crabs tries to forcibly remove another crab from it's shell with the intent of occupying it. Chances of occurrence can be reduced and even avoided by supplying at least 2-3 appropriately sized shells per crab.
Specific Gravity: Measures the "heaviness" of a substance compared to that of water. With regard to hermit crabs, the amount of salt in water. SG
Spring Water: Water that contains no chlorine, but also contains the minerals and nutrients necessary for a healthy crab.
Stitch Marks: Another term used for Stridulatory Marks. See below.
Streaking: When a crab decides to leave its shell and walks around with its abdomen exposed. Generally only crabs that are sickly or very stressed exhibit this behavior. One other reason could include some type of irritant in the shell or perhaps the crab is over heating.
Stress Coat: Additive that some crabbers use to treat "bath" water with the belief that the aloe vera helps to sooth stressful conditions. SC
Stridulatory Marks: Small, diagonal slash marks located on the big pincher of certain species of crabs.
Substrate: The type of floor covering that is used in which the crabs will bury themselves. Such as sand, coconut fiber bedding or fine grade, smooth gravel.
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Thermo regulate: The ability of the crab to adjust its internal body temperature by moving to different temperature zones within the crabitat.


Under Tank Heater: A small "heating" device specifically designed to (much like a heating pad) adhere to the underside (or side) of the tank to raise the temperature of the substrate inside. Generally the temperature will increase no more than 5-10 degrees depending on the size of the UTH and the tank on which it is used. Take care not to cover the entire bottom of the tank with a UTH. Crabs need to have different temperature zones within the tank to allow them to thermo regulate their body temperature. UTH


Vivarium: A mini ecosystem contained within a tank. Often includes running or still water, live plants, live animals, and live insects. More experienced crabbers sometimes choose to have a "live" tank. VIV
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ABBREVIATION LIST

Below you will find some common abbreviations and their meanings used by fellow crabbers.

Ab: Abdomen
BP: Big Pincher
Brevy: C. Brevimanus or Indonesian crab
BTW: By The Way
Cavie: C. Cavipes
CC: Crazy Crab (C. Variabilis)
Dechlor: Dechorinator
DW: Doc Wellfish brand of salt mix
E: Ecuadorian crab (C. Compressus)
EE: Eco-Earth (coconut fiber bedding)
ETHO: Ethoxyquin (toxic preservative)
EXO: Exoskeleton
FB: Forest Bedding
FMR: Florida Marine Research
FW: Fresh Water
Indo: Indonesian crab (C.Brevimanus)
IO: Instant Ocean brand of salt mix
ISO: Isolation unit/tank
LFS: Local Fish Store
LOL: Laugh Out Loud
LPS: Local Pet Store
PM: Private Message
PMS: Pre Molt Symptoms
PP: Purple Pincher (C. Clypeatus)
PPS: Post Purchase Stress
RO: Reverese Osmosis (water)
RUG: Ruggie (C. Rugosus)
SC: Stress Coat
SG: Specific Gravity of salt water
STRAW: Strawberry (C. Perlatus)
SW: Salt Water
UTH: Under Tank Heater
VIV: Vivarium (a "living" tank)
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