Is Metal Harmful to Hermit Crabs?
There are lots of types of Metals...
First, metals are one type of minerals. And minerals are an essential element of life and good health! NOT ALL METALS ARE BAD!!
Hermit crabs need a well-balanced diet consisting of a variety of foods to receive the vitamins and minerals they need. Iron, zinc and copper and just three metals that in very low doses, are needed for good health.
HOWEVER…
Heavy metals and high doses of corroding metals ingested, can be very dangerous.
Is metal harmful to hermit crabs? Which types of metals are harmful, and which are safe? How much metal becomes dangerous?
For hermit crab pets, creating a habitat that with a limited amount of metals is good. As with all small animals, it’s a good idea to avoid metals in general.
The manufacturing process and labeling isn’t consistent and often not clear on what metals are used in the product, and what combinations of metals, coatings and protectants are used to prevent corrosion, etc.
Most Metals Corrode Over Time
Most metals are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to water and oxygen!
Most metals have varying degrees of susceptibility to corrosion. Some metals corrode quickly, some very slowly. And when exposed to saltwater and ocean air, corrosion can be accelerated as much as five times faster than normal.
Many metals, in trace amounts, are necessary to human (and animal) body function (ex: low doses of iron are considered essential). However, heavy metals accumulated in the body in high levels are dangerous.
Corrosion, depending on the metal, can pose health risks especially when in direct contact with water and food sources.
"RUST" is corrosion specific to Iron
- “RUST” is corrosion specific to iron and iron alloy metals
- “RUST” is most often used as a catch-all term to describe all corrosion on metals (but not technically accurate)
- All metals are susceptible to corrosion in varying degrees
Read about rust in my recent post here;
Old Lead Pipes Corrode and can cause high levels of iron to leach into water which can be dangerous
Technically lead itself, as a metal, does not rust. However, we’ve all seen what we assumed were old rusted lead pipes. So what’s the deal with lead and rust?
When lead has a repeated exposure to water, especially acidic water, it will corrode over time. That corrosion causes a similar looking substance but it is not rust (iron oxide), because there is no iron. The coloring of the corrosion that can happen on lead is greyish, versus rust which is more reddish.
Lead is considered to be a toxic heavy metal, so it’s important to avoid. Old lead pipes, old lead paint, as an example, are known to be toxic and have been the cause of lots of sickness in humans as a result. These days, lead pipes are replaced by a different type of metal or more commonly by PVC pipe. Lead-based paint still exists in old construction but is not a current product due to years of proven illness in humans it had caused.
Example: rusty well water
If you use well water and it tends to be rusty, it’s best to switch to distilled water or minimally detoxify it first. Why? While rusty well water is a fairly common occurrence, especially on farms and in rural areas, for tiny creatures like hermit crabs, that higher level of iron could simply be too much for them.
Hermit crabs should be considered more like “fish” when dealing with water conditions. Would a pet goldfish survive in the rusty well water? Chances are, no.
Rusty ocean trash washed up on a beach is unfortunately a common occurrence, but does not pose a direct threat to hermit crabs in most cases. IF their only source of water was sitting inside this rusted bottle cap, drinking the water could give them dangerously high levels of iron. Rust is an indication of corroding iron or steel (iron alloy).
How Do METALS Affect Hermit Crab Habitats
Since all metals are susceptible to corrosion, often manufacturers use a combination of metals or add coatings, protectants, polymers, plastics. Is it all non-toxic and safe? Labeling for these items isn’t always clear or standardized on exactly what metals and coatings were used. So why risk it?
Do NOT use metal bowls for hermit crab pets.
Metal bowls can corrode when exposed to water, which can release heavy metals into the water and make it toxic for hermit crabs to drink.
When buying small metal bowls for pets, labels don’t usually list the type of metal(s) used. Why risk it? Metal bowls look unnatural and aren’t nearly as attractive in a hermit crab habitat as other bowls made of resin. And always clean water bowls regularly to prevent buildup of bacteria and other contiminants.
In addition, metals are heat conductors. If a metal bowl is placed too close to a heat source, it will heat up what’s inside and everything around it, which could pose problems and even be dangerous.
We’re talking about hermit crabs here, but the same concerns should be made for any pets you have like dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and more. Why? There are so many types of metals and metal combinations, plus coatings and protectants that could be used in the manufacturing process, it’s better not to trust them. Why use metal for your pet’s food and water anyway? So many better alternatives exist!!!
Are Metals Safe in a Hermit Crab Habitat?
There are some metals that WILL be inside a hermit crab habitat and they are perfectly safe! Of course, look at reviews and make sure to buy from a reputable pet industry brand when in doubt.
Examples:
- Gauges for humidity and temperature made for hermit crab habitats are made from metal. They don’t rust. Here’s a photo of the one I’ve got in my hermit crab habitat, it’s over a year old and no signs of rust or corrosion and works well
- Wire mesh tops of enclosures for aquariums and other reptile habitats that can be used for hermit crabs are perfectly safe
- Lighting and heating lamps are made to be safe and not corrode or rust
- Enclosure metal parts used as part of an enclosure made for reptiles or other uses where the metal is powder coated for protection (see Ikea Milsbo Hermit Crab Habitat Hack, and Ikea Detolf Hermit Crab Habitat Hack where all metal is powder coated, safe from corrosion and rust)
- Climbing vines are a favorite element used in reptile, bearded dragon and other small animal habitats; long twisty bendable and natural looking wood vines, bendable metal on the inside and coated with a brown natural looking plastic or similar coating made to be safe for small pets in humid habitats
- Bendable wood bridges and some climbing ladders have wire inside that allows it to twist and bend as needed, made for reptiles and other small creatures, look at reviews first to make sure the materials used hold up in humid environments like for reptiles, turtles and hermit crabis
A Little More about Metal Poisoning
Rust and other metal corrosion can also be a sign of metal poisoning in the environment, which could be harmful to hermit crabs and other pets. Here are some examples, though rare, to be aware of (and good reasons to simply stay away from using metal bowls for food and water for your pets in general):
Lead poisoning:
Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic when it leaches into water sources, most commonly an issue with industrial and municipal water and waste. Lead can cause a wide range of health issues, most historically lead pipes, lead paint, lead gasoline were found to be very harmful to humans. Lead poisoning can be very harmful to humans, so certainly it will be even more harmful to tiny little hermit crabs.
Copper, cadium, zinc are other examples of metals that are considered to be harmful if found in water sources. Copper, as an example, is a common runoff element from large agricultural farms which can be harmful when it leaches into the water supply.
Mercury is very resistant to corrosion. It is also a naturally occurring element in water, air and food. Mercury is non-essential to the human (and animal) body. It is a toxic heavy metal that can be harmful. Example: mercury poisoning can occur if someone ingests too much mercury from eating too much blue fin tuna or orange roughy (fish) with high levels of mercury.
The Bottom Line
Limit metals and man-made materials in any animal habitat, always. But recognize that certain safe metals won’t cause harm, just be smart about what you are placing in your hermit crab habitat, where you are placing it and what you are using it for.
DO NOT PUT WATER AND FOOD INSIDE ANYTHING METAL.
If you use well water that looks rusty, switch to store-bought distilled water instead, if possible. Rusty water means exposure to corroding metal.
Detoxifier/water conditioner products are fairly inexpensive, and water testers are around $15. Detoxify and when in doubt, test the water first.
Don’t use tap water directly from the faucet, too many heavy metals and potential toxins. RO (reverse osmosis) water is the best choice, but distilled water is great as well.
When creating a healthy, safe hermit crab habitat, there are safe metal and plastic elements you can use to enrich the lives of your hermit crabs! Just because it’s metal does NOT mean it’s poisonous or unsafe!!
(stop spreading misinformation, you know who you are).
If you’re buying a product that has metal, simply make sure it won’t be sitting in water, and preferably made for aquariums, reptiles, amphibians and other cold-blooded small creatures with similar high humidity or aquatic safety parameters. If you see any signs of rust or corrosion, simply remove or replace.
Give your hermit crab pets a great life! Create a habitat that is safe, but FUN for them! Hermit crabs, and most specifically purple pincher hermit crabs LOVE to climb and explore and inspect and study! Give them driftwood and branches and plenty of extra shells and healthy snacks. They love and crave variety, are stimulated by new things (change) and need to climb and explore (or they WILL get bored, listless and depressed!).
For more ideas on creating stimulating healthy crabitats, click here.
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API