Can Hermit Crabs Eat Watermelon? (9 Clear Facts)

Hermit crabs are interesting small crustacean pets and don’t need to be challenging to care for. They can eat anything edible, and it’s fun watching them eat.

Hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers, so many wonder if hermit crabs will enjoy eating watermelons.

Can hermit crabs eat watermelon? Yes, hermit crabs can eat watermelon. Watermelon flesh is rich in vitamins and minerals, which are an absolute necessity for hermit crabs’ health. Prepare the watermelon before serving it to the hermit crabs because the part that is safe to eat is the pink flesh only. There is no need to add the watermelon rind and seeds.

Giving sweet fruit like watermelon can be a favorite treat for hermit crabs. We need to know what benefits can be obtained from hermit crabs eating watermelon. Let’s read this article to the end.

Can You Feed Hermit Crabs Watermelon?

Hermit crabs can eat whatever their owners give them. You can break watermelon pink flesh into manageable servings. Place the small watermelon pieces where the hermit crabs can easily reach them.

Do not let the watermelon stay in the hermit crabs’ cage for too long because when it rots it becomes sour, and the hermit crabs can lose their appetite to eat it.

Watermelon has a smell that can attract hermit crabs’ attention. Hermit crabs are natural scavengers that will forage for food nearby. Don’t serve bad watermelon because it can cause digestive issues.

What Fruits Can Hermit Crabs Eat?

Wild hermit crabs eat a wide variety of foods. As pets, hermit crabs can eat any fruit, but that doesn’t mean they can eat all fruit. Understanding what fruit is suitable for hermit crabs will help the pet live as long as possible.

Safe fruits for hermit crab include mango, papaya, coconut, apple, watermelon, melon, raisins, grapes, and pineapple.

Hermit crabs can adjust their portion sizes according to their needs. You can cut the food into bite-sized pieces to make it easier for them to eat.

Can hermit crabs eat watermelon? Hermit crabs enjoy watermelon taste and are suitable for their diet. You can give watermelon as an occasional treat or meal because of its hydrating, high potassium, and presence of vitamins A and C.

What Is Poisonous To Hermit Crabs?

Avoid giving hermit crabs food like garlic, onion, and citrus. Hermit crabs refuse to eat citrus because of its strong scent.

The fruit doesn’t cause any harm, but citrus trees have insecticides in their leaves, twigs, and bark that can be toxic to hermit crabs.

Onions and garlic are two vegetables that should not be included in the hermit crab’s diet because they can cause breathing problems.

There is no nutritional value that can be obtained by hermit crabs because there are toxic properties in onions and garlic.

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Canned Fruit?

Hermit crabs are sensitive to metals. Canned fruit is food that comes in contact with the container and can be dangerous even though the processing is safe.

Canned fruit has its own risk if a pet eats it, unlike fruit with fresh conditions.

Even if you give canned fruit with safe fruit types for hermit crabs, we can’t know if there are additives to keep the fruit in the can longer. Giving fruit in a fresh form will be much safer for the health of hermit crabs.

Can hermit crabs eat watermelon? Yes, watermelon is an irresistible food like hermit crabs because they can enjoy the sweet tastes with an attractive smell. You can put the watermelon pink flesh pieces before the hermit crabs wake up.

After they notice the smell of fresh fruit, they will approach and eat the watermelon you have prepared.

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Melon?

Hermit crabs can eat melons or watermelons. Prepare the melon flesh in small pieces to make it easier for hermit crabs to pick up with their claws as they please. Do not give melon rind because it has a hard texture and does not have a good taste.

Melon and watermelon are fruits that are safe for hermit crabs and can meet the needs of hermit crabs with their vitamin and mineral content.

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Watermelon Rind?

Watermelon rind is not suitable for hermit crabs because it is devoid of nutrients and very tough. Although hermit crabs can eat it, it will not be enough reward because it is difficult to eat.

Hermit crabs have no teeth and make the watermelon rind tough to swallow.

Watermelon rind can damage its large claw while trying to tear the rind. Do not give watermelon rind. Only give pink flesh that is safe for hermit crabs to eat.

Hermit crab’s claws can regrow but must wait until the next molt. Do not give food with a hard texture to keep its claws intact.

Do Hermit Crabs Like Watermelon?

Hermit crabs enjoy the sweet tastes and refreshing taste of watermelon. Put the watermelon flesh in the tank before the hermit crabs wake up. See your pet’s reaction after they know there is a fresh watermelon near them.

Do not let you put the watermelon on for too long because the watermelon easily rots when exposed to room temperature.

Separate the seeds and rinds, so that the hermit crabs eat only the pink flesh. Hermit crabs like watermelon and can finish them without leftovers.

Introduce hermit crabs to the watermelon slowly until they get used to eating the watermelon flesh.

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Watermelon Seeds?

Hermit crabs cannot eat watermelon seeds. Separate the seeds from the watermelon flesh because hermit crabs don’t need them.

Seeds can be a choking risk or hazardous things to eat. Watermelon seeds contain amygdalin which can convert to cyanide in the hermit crab’s body.

The amygdalin in watermelon seeds is enough to provide life-ending consequences for hermit crabs. Do not serve watermelon seeds because hermit crabs are scavengers that can eat anything in their path.

Is Watermelon Healthy For Hermit Crabs?

If hermit crabs enjoy the taste of watermelon, we need to know if there is a benefit when hermit crabs consume watermelon. The table below is the nutritional value of 152 grams of diced watermelon.

Watermelon is low in fat and sugar, even though it has a sweet taste. Watermelon is safe for hermit crabs because it provides natural sweetness and has many vitamins that are suitable for hermit crabs’ health.

Can Hermit Crabs Eat Dried Watermelon?

Watermelon is a fruit that is only available for a small period. If there are pet owners who want to eat watermelons at a specific time, they need to buy watermelons with a dehydrated version or known as dried watermelons.

The nutritional value between fresh and dried versions differs in sugar level. The dehydration process sucks all the water out and leaves concentrated sugar, so the dried watermelon has a higher calorific count.

Only give hermit crabs dried watermelons in small quantities. If you can be careful in giving dried watermelons, they will be just as nutritious as fresh ones.

Is Watermelon Juice Safe For Hermit Crabs?

Hermit crabs can’t drink watermelon juice. Watermelon is practically all water, without you making juice, hermit crabs can get a lot of water and hydrate their body. Keep in mind not to give hermit crabs store-bought watermelon juice.

Watermelon juice that has been processed in packaging may contain preservatives and additives by adding extra sugar. Humans can drink bottled watermelon juice without any problems, but it can harm the crabs’ health.

Hermit crabs will pick up and eat food with their claws. Watermelon juice cannot be taken directly by hermit crabs and cannot be enjoyed as proper food for them.

The Advantage Of Watermelon For Hermit Crabs

Water content in watermelon is the main benefit for hermit crabs. Watermelon flesh has 92% water, so it can be rehydrated while eating a sweet treat.

The sugar content in watermelon is moderate and promotes chitin development.

Chitin and calcium can make a strong exoskeleton which is very useful for hermit crabs. Watermelon is high in potassium that provides hermit crabs with vibrancy and energy for all their activities.

The number of vitamins in watermelon can be a booster for crabs’ immune system.

The Disadvantages Of Watermelon For Hermit Crabs

Watermelon has fructose in its sugar content which can attract insects. If you put the watermelon long enough, the insects can enter the cage to enjoy the watermelon.

Pests can enter the hermit crab tank and damage the crabs’ natural ecosystem.

Watermelon can spoil within two hours when it is exposed to room temperature and can attract flies and change the taste of the watermelon.

Give it only when the hermit crabs want to eat and are active so that the hermit crabs can finish their watermelon right away.

How To Serve Watermelon To Hermit Crabs?

Serving watermelon is not as difficult as you might think. These are some of the things you must prepare when you want to give watermelon to hermit crabs.

First, buy watermelons with organics grown free of toxic chemicals like insecticides and pesticides. It will ensure the watermelon is of the best quality before you serve it.

The next step is washing the fruits. Organic watermelons must be cleaned on the outside using dechlorinated water. Extract the inner flesh of the watermelon by separating the seeds and rind.

Give only pink flesh using a spoon or cut it into bite-sized pieces and make it easier for hermit crabs to eat the watermelon.

Pay attention a few moments after the hermit crabs eat the watermelons, and immediately clean the leftovers so that there are no pests such as flies that can enter and damage the crabs’ environment.

Hermit crabs can eat watermelon flesh quickly when they are active and hungry. Don’t let the watermelons spoil because they can refuse to eat them even though hermit crabs are scavengers.

How Many Watermelons Can Hermit Crabs Eat?

You can give watermelon as a treat once per week. Be careful when storing watermelon, because this fruit spoils quickly if placed at room temperature.

Store it by closing it properly and putting it in the refrigerator to keep the watermelon fresh.

Offer the watermelon twice weekly when the temperature outside the tank is hot. Don’t give watermelon too often because hermit crabs can lose interest when you give it a second serving.

Hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers that forage for a different diet than the one they previously ate.

Offer other fruit or vegetables to give a unique taste and introduce other food options with something equally hydrating like watermelon.

Final Verdict – Can Hermit Crabs Eat Watermelon

Watermelon is a fruit with a high water content with vitamins and minerals that are good for crabs’ health. Give watermelon to hermit crab as a treat, and give space when you serve watermelon slices during the summer.

Watermelon includes hydrating food, and hermit crab enjoy eating it. Separate the watermelon rind and seeds, leaving only the pink flesh in small pieces so that crabs can eat them easily.

Don’t leave the watermelon flesh in the tank for too long so it won’t spoil and it’s still fresh for hermit crabs.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet hermit crab a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️