Post by Sach-Crabministrator on Aug 27, 2010 19:45:54 GMT -5
I got to thinking I should include some commonly used words, terms and abbreviations for new crabbers that may not be "in the know". Enjoy.
BP BP is their biggest claw or Big Pincher (on their left); often called a blade or shield.
CHIMNEY/CHIMNEY HOLE This is the little air hole at the surface of where your crab is buried, be careful not to collapse them.
CRABITAT This is the home your crabs live in; it should be glass to hold in humidity. May also be called a crabarium or tat.
CRABSCAPE This word is a Sach Original. This is the word I use to describe changing the landscape or decorations in the tank (crab-landscaping).
DACTYLE This is the scientific name for the bottom segment of the crab's leg; often seen missing after buying pet store crabs.
Es (when referring to species) This is a nickname for c. compressus crabs, formerly called Ecuadorians.
EE Stands for Eco Earth. This is actually a brand name for the compressed coconut fiber (also called coir) substrate.
EXO/EXOSKELETON This is your crabs' hard outer skin that he sheds as he grows.
FRESH WATER For hermies, this means water treated with a conditioner that removes all chlorine & chemicals. This is VERY important for the crabs' health.
HCP This stands for The Hermit Crab Patch. A great site for shells, foods & crabs.
HH This is my very own version of "lol". Since I rarely laugh out loud in the instances in which people use "lol", I decided to go with "Ha Ha" since it can be serious, or sarcastic or actually chuckling.
HYGROMETER A gauge to measure relative humidity (dampness) in your tank.
KK This stands for Kritter Keeper; the plastic cages pet stores often sell for and with hermies. They are appropriate only for transporting crabs; not housing.
LHC Land hermit crab or the website LiveHermitCrabs.com
LMSO Our crabby version of a common one online; stands for
"laughing my shell off".
MHC This stands for marine hermit crabs.
MOLT This is the process where the crab sheds it's old skin and grows a new one. Look HERE for more info on molts.
***MOLT WINDOW This is when your crab buries to molt & is "kind" enough to leave you a clear-ish spot on the glass to peek in on them.
MOSS PIT This is a container to hold (Sphagnum) moss for your crabs. This helps humidity and they like to eat it too. Your pit can be always wet or dry with mistings-your choice.
PP This stands for "purple pincher", a nickname given c. clypeatus-the species sold most in the US. (*nicknames for other species can be found on their caresheets.)
PPS This stands for "Post or Pre-Purchase Stress or Syndrome". This is a crab being stressed out or dying due to the trauma inflicted on them in harvesting them and/or transporting them to pet stores where they are improperly cared for before coming into your home.
RATCLMSO "Rolling around the crabitat laughing my shell off."
SALT WATER This means water treated with a marine-grade salt mix like Oceanic or Instant Ocean, to mimic sea water.
STRAWS Nickname for c. perlatus, "Strawberry Hermit Crabs"
SUB/SUBSTRATE This is the word for the stuff your crabs bury in.
TAT Short for "crabitat"; see above.
BP BP is their biggest claw or Big Pincher (on their left); often called a blade or shield.
CHIMNEY/CHIMNEY HOLE This is the little air hole at the surface of where your crab is buried, be careful not to collapse them.
CRABITAT This is the home your crabs live in; it should be glass to hold in humidity. May also be called a crabarium or tat.
CRABSCAPE This word is a Sach Original. This is the word I use to describe changing the landscape or decorations in the tank (crab-landscaping).
DACTYLE This is the scientific name for the bottom segment of the crab's leg; often seen missing after buying pet store crabs.
Es (when referring to species) This is a nickname for c. compressus crabs, formerly called Ecuadorians.
EE Stands for Eco Earth. This is actually a brand name for the compressed coconut fiber (also called coir) substrate.
EXO/EXOSKELETON This is your crabs' hard outer skin that he sheds as he grows.
FRESH WATER For hermies, this means water treated with a conditioner that removes all chlorine & chemicals. This is VERY important for the crabs' health.
HCP This stands for The Hermit Crab Patch. A great site for shells, foods & crabs.
HH This is my very own version of "lol". Since I rarely laugh out loud in the instances in which people use "lol", I decided to go with "Ha Ha" since it can be serious, or sarcastic or actually chuckling.
HYGROMETER A gauge to measure relative humidity (dampness) in your tank.
KK This stands for Kritter Keeper; the plastic cages pet stores often sell for and with hermies. They are appropriate only for transporting crabs; not housing.
LHC Land hermit crab or the website LiveHermitCrabs.com
LMSO Our crabby version of a common one online; stands for
"laughing my shell off".
MHC This stands for marine hermit crabs.
MOLT This is the process where the crab sheds it's old skin and grows a new one. Look HERE for more info on molts.
***MOLT WINDOW This is when your crab buries to molt & is "kind" enough to leave you a clear-ish spot on the glass to peek in on them.
MOSS PIT This is a container to hold (Sphagnum) moss for your crabs. This helps humidity and they like to eat it too. Your pit can be always wet or dry with mistings-your choice.
PP This stands for "purple pincher", a nickname given c. clypeatus-the species sold most in the US. (*nicknames for other species can be found on their caresheets.)
PPS This stands for "Post or Pre-Purchase Stress or Syndrome". This is a crab being stressed out or dying due to the trauma inflicted on them in harvesting them and/or transporting them to pet stores where they are improperly cared for before coming into your home.
RATCLMSO "Rolling around the crabitat laughing my shell off."
SALT WATER This means water treated with a marine-grade salt mix like Oceanic or Instant Ocean, to mimic sea water.
STRAWS Nickname for c. perlatus, "Strawberry Hermit Crabs"
SUB/SUBSTRATE This is the word for the stuff your crabs bury in.
TAT Short for "crabitat"; see above.