Coconut Huts for Hermit Crabs?

Coconut huts are a great addition to your hermit crab enclosure, but there are a few things you need to know to make them safe and functional. While the coconuts themselves are safe, the ladders or bridges they often come with are usually made for birds or reptiles. These are often made from wood that’s not safe for hermit crabs, so you’ll want to remove them. Instead, you can either make your own ladder using untreated, safe wood or buy one from an approved seller.

  

Another thing to keep in mind is that coconut huts will grow mold if you place them on the substrate, so they need to be hung. You can use aquarium-safe silicone to attach them to the glass or lid of your tank. Just make sure to remove the metal hook first because rust is toxic to hermit crabs.

You can soak them in saltwater and let them fully dry afterward. I don’t recommend baking them, especially if the ladder includes twine.

 

If the coconut hut was purchased from a pet store, it should already be pest-free and just needs a thorough rinse before being added to the habitat. I don’t recommend putting anything into the enclosure while it’s still wet. If you’re worried about pests, boiling or freezing the hut are also good options.

 

My crabs are obsessed with their coconut huts! They love climbing in and out of them, and I often find them tucked away inside. Done right, coconut huts are not only safe but also a super fun way to enrich your crabs’ environment!