Buying a thermometer and humidity guage is imperative for keeping your hermit crabs alive and well. Your little creatures need a consistently hot and humid environment to thrive. The only way to make sure you’re keeping their tank warm and humid is with an accurate and durable sensor.
When buying a thermometer/humidity guage, it’s ideal to go for a one that can stay accurate in a humid environment for a long period of time. A sensor that has never failed me is the AcuRite 0267M Digital Thermometer With Humidity and Wired Temperature Sensor, available on Amazon.com (pictured above). It’s a more affordable option compared to most digital thermometer/hygrometer combos out there, and very accurate.
Its wide display with a large font makes it very easy to read. I’m reassured that my hermit crabs are warm and humid every time I walk past their enclosure with a quick glance at their hygrometer.
Go for a Wired Hygrometer
My favorite feature about the AcuRite 0267M (mentioned above) is its wired sensor. You can neatly and efficiently feed it into your tank with a few pieces of masking tape. This way its display is kept out of your tank, which makes it much easier to read.
I find this a very simple way to read humidity. I used to have a hygrometer inside my hermit crab enclosure, and every time I would mist their substrate it would mess with my device’s readings. What happened was little droplets of water would get stuck in the device’s sensor and read 95-100% humidity, even when my tank was as dry as a bone!
Accuracy is Everything
Accuracy is very important for a hermit crab’s hygrometer. If your device is giving you the wrong temperature or humidity, your crabs could suffer the consequences.
If you chose another product, make sure it is accurate and stays that way. I have compared my device’s readings with other hygrometers and thermometers and it checks out.
The AcuRite 0267M is very accurate and has stayed that way the 6 months I have owned it. Some people report their AcuRite giving off wrong temperatures after 8 months or so, but this is only after their device was exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures.
What to Know Before Buying an AcuRite 0267M
batteries aren’t included. The device uses two AAA batteries (link to Amazon.com), which last several months. A 24 pack will keep your hygrometer on and accurate for years to come.
The AcuRite comes with a 6 ft wired sensor probe which is easy for feeding its way into a hermit crab exhibit. I recommend setting it on the back of your hermit crab tank, letting it rest just a few inches over the substrate. It’s important to get a reading of the surface, which is where your hermit crabs spend most of their time.
This is very easy to do with some simple masking tape. Tape the wire on the inside of the back middle part of the tank, out of the way of the main view of your tank. I will admit it is an eyesore. From there, you can set it nearby your tank with its tabletop mount, or you can hang it on the wall with its built-in wall mount.
The Urgency for a Thermometer & Hygrometer
The only way you’ll know if your hermit crabs are in a suitable environment is with a thermometer & hygrometer. Do not guess! We, humans, are terrible at judging humidity levels. Doing so would be a death sentence for our crabs.
Humidity levels should be kept above 70% at all times. Hermit crabs use modified gills for breathing. Their gills stay moist by utilizing the moisture found in the air. If your crabs are exposed to a dry environment for long periods of time, it could be fatal.
If you buy a hygrometer (The AcuRite 0267M is a great choice!), you will be aware of the humidity in your hermit crab’s enclosure at all times. Only then you will know when to increase the tank’s humidity.
The same goes with temperature! Hermit crabs need especially warm, tropical environments throughout the year. This is easy to overlook in the wintertime.
Hermit crabs are very fragile. If they are exposed to temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. for long periods of time, they can fall into a state of hibernation or perish.
Purple Pinchers (the most common hermit crab sold at pet stores) need temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Ecuadorians (another common hermit crab species) need higher temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The only way to know your hermit crabs are getting the warmth they so desperately need is with a thermometer.
I said it before and I’ll say it again: you absolutely need a thermometer & hygrometer to keep your hermit crabs alive and well.