can live anywhere between 1 year up to 20 years depending on level of care and type of habitat and diet.  Hermit crabs can be very rewarding to watch and care for, as well as being a wonderful learning experience about the environment and their local ecosystems!  

Variety is the spice of life for hermit crabs! They actually need to be stimulated by visual and tactile sensations (new things to chew and climb on, new things to explore and look at) as well as scents often.  

They like to climb and burrow, and they like a wide variety of food offerings.  Don't forget a vast array of shells for the crabs to choose from!  

Fun Fact:  Land Hermit Crabs do not have a spine (thus their division as an "invertebrate") but they do have 10 jointed legs and two large claws for eating!  

Hermit crabs can provide a great learning experience for children with proper care and supervision.  These cute little guys are quite popular for their ease of care and interesting behavioral characteristics.  They vocalize, sometimes to you and to each other, which is a surprise to hear for those unfamiliar with the distinctive low-resonant vibrato of land hermit crab chatter.  Whether a beginner pet parent or in a noise or space restricted home, a land hermit crab can be a wonderful addition to any family!  
 
Right now at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers, you can get a Hermit Crab and Kit for just $34.99 or Specialty Hermit Crabs for 2 for $15.00 until July 10th!  

The Electric Blue Jack Dempsey is native to South America in slow-moving or murky waters such as canals or rivers.  The colorations change depending on gender, age, and the particular situation it is in.  Not only are its shifting colorations beautiful, they also work as this fish species' very own language.  Hierarchy, too, is determined by color observation in this African Cichlid's own community, making it a rather sophisticated and intelligent species of fish.  The colors can range from electric blue to light blue-gray with iridescent spots, with females having a more subdued coloration.  Good tank-mates might be fish of a similar size, region of origin, and temperament.  It, like most cichlids, is considered "aggressive" and will most likely eat smaller fish.  However, it can get along in a well-populated tank of at least 50 gallons with plenty of "territories" divided by plants or decorations and a hiding place of its own.

Right now until June 12th, you can get an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey on sale at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers for only $19.99 - that's a savings of at least $16.00!