Planning ahead for cold weather outages when you first set up your crabitat is best. But, we should ALL be prepared for weather-related emergencies.
While hermit crabs can tolerate minor fluctuations and dips into temps below 75 degrees, prolonged low temperatures, particularly around 60 degrees, will induce a hibernation-like state that could be fatal.
Tips:
▪️Avoid placing tanks near windows and doors.
▪️Set up in a room likely to be the warmest during a power outage.
▪️Set up in a room where you’re most likely to hang out (body heat will help increase room temperature).
▪️Be prepared to cover windows and unused doors with plastic and/or thermal curtains.
▪️Block the bottom of drafty doors.
▪️Use outlet insulators or expanding foam in drafty electrical outlets and wall switches.
▪️Keep enough blankets, sleeping bags, mylar emergency blankets, or foiled insulation, as well as duct tape, to wrap each tank (including the front and sides).
▪️NEVER place foiled insulation or mylar blankets over vinyl adhesive heat mats!
▪️Store enough UniHeat reptile heat packs (used for shipping) and Hot Hands warmers for each tank
▪️Keep an emergency tote or cooler to transfer crabs into. This will reduce the amount of heat needed to keep your crabs warm.
UniHeat Reptile Heat Pack warmers:
▪️Will stay warmer much longer (up to 72 hours)
▪️Reach a surface temperature of 100F degrees
▪️Provide a gentle, slow-starting, and steady heat
▪️Used for shipping animals and plants
▪️Can be safely taped to the outside of aquarium glass, plastic, and acrylic, then loosely covered.
▪️Requires oxygen to work
Hot Hands warmers:
▪️Have a shorter duration of heat
▪️Supply up to 18 hours of heat
▪️Reach a higher temperature, more quickly
▪️Are best used in coolers, and must be wrapped in a towel.
▪️Not ideal for taping to glass or acrylic aquariums due to higher temperatures
▪️Requires oxygen to work
USB heat pad:
▪️Requires USB power to operate
▪️Will supply heat as long as it’s supplied with power
▪️Reusable
▪️Inexpensive, as of this post in 2025 these can be found online for under $10 each
▪️These typically heat to 104-114 degrees Fahrenheit so they may be taped to glass or acrylic aquariums
▪️These can be used even when there is not a power outage if they are paired with a Digital Temperature Controller.
Some USB heating pads are specifically made for animal habitats:
Heat packs and warmers must NEVER come into contact with an animal. Try to put in a spot that is difficult for crabs to get to. Start with one warmer in a vented container, monitor the temperature after one hour, and add another if needed. Remember, the UniHeat warmers gradually heat up, so allow them enough time to do this before assuming you need more.
Other options:
▪️Fill a jar with hot water and place in tank. Make sure the jar has a lid to prevent hermit crabs from drowning.
▪️Stay warm in the car (if engine is running, park outside).
▪️Use a universal power supply (UPS) to keep heat mats running (battery life and number of outlets available will vary based on cost of the UPS unit).
▪️Use an adequate power inverter in your vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet (and extension cords) to transfer power from the car battery to the heat mats. (Be sure to read all instructions; know how much wattage you need; and read your vehicle’s owners manual before attempting this method.)
▪️Take the crabs (in a warm cooler) to someone nearby who has power.
UniHeat warmers are available from Bean Farm and Reptile Basics, and may be purchased singly or in
bulk.
