Hi! My name is Vanessa Pike-Russell and I have been keeping Australian Land Hermit Crabs as pets since 1994. That's over 14 years of learning about these cute little critters. I first learned of them when I was studing to be a primary school teacher (elementary education in the US) and needed a pet that I could keep in a one bedroom apartment. I soon realised that with their insomniac ways (more active at night) and their love of my favourite foods (popcorn, peanut butter and trail mix) that I had found a pet that is relatively low maintenance and perfect for small living spaces.

In 2002 I wrote a book on Australian Land Hermit Crabs as Pets with the help of some Land Hermit Crab Owners Society members which features with full colour photos and illustrations with easy to follow checklists and care sheets.

This book will soon be made available via lulu and blurb or as a digital download. You can read more about the book here.

In the meantime please feel free to view the caresheets and lesson plans and if you would like me to visit a school to talk about land hermit crabs please feel free to drop me an email.

Below is a sample of the pages in the book.