Gear and care basics for tarantulas, hermit crabs, snails, insects and scorpions
Check what is legal before you buy, then get temperature, humidity and substrate right. Here is what published sources say to look for, plus the few gear picks that have ratings or expert backing.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. How we pick.
Pets this page covers
Tarantulas and spiders
Tarantula enclosures should be wider than tall with cross-ventilation, and burrowers need deep sterile substrate and a snug dark hide. Venom, bite and urticating hair risk was not researched, so do not treat them as safe to handle. Check USDA rules where you live.
Hermit crabs
Hermit crabs need warmth, high humidity, deep moist substrate and dechlorinated fresh and salt water. Painted shells are toxic to the crabs. We did not verify a hermit crab tank, so none is listed, and the Zoo Med starter kit was left out for a low rating.
Snails
The giant African land snail is prohibited for importation and interstate movement in the US, and some aquatic apple snails are restricted too, so check the rules where you live. We found no verified, well-reviewed snail specific product, so none is listed.
Stick insects and other insects
Many land invertebrates are restricted, and USDA APHIS says to check with USDA PPQ before buying, since a seller holding permits is not a guarantee. We found no verified stick insect specific product, so none is listed.
Scorpions
Emperor scorpions (Pandinus imperator, P. dictator and P. gambiensis) are CITES Appendix II, so export and import need CITES paperwork. Check the rules where you live. We did not verify any scorpion enclosure, and bite and sting risk was not researched.
What to look for
- Hermit crab temperature should be 75 to 85 F with humidity of 70 to 85%. Below 70 F for too long can send crabs dormant and kill them, so use a hygrometer. Source: Hermit Crab Association, Basic Hermit Crab Care
- Hermit crab substrate should be at least 3 times a crab's size (about half the tank) and kept moist for molting. Offer both fresh water and marine-salt-mix salt water, all dechlorinated, in dishes deep enough to submerge in with a way out. Source: Hermit Crab Association, Basic Hermit Crab Care
- Offer 3 to 5 natural shells of each needed size and avoid painted or glazed shells. Keep at least two crabs of a species and plan for at least 5 gallons per crab. Source: Hermit Crab Association, Basic Hermit Crab Care
- Tarantula enclosures should be wider than tall, about 3 to 4 times leg span in length and width, with cross-ventilation. Burrowers need 4 to 6 in of sterile substrate and arboreal species less. This is a university housing page, not a veterinary source. Source: Cal Poly Grand Avenue Housing, Tarantula Care Guide
- Use a shallow water dish (add pebbles or a sponge for slings) and a snug dark hide, and note that most species do well at room temperature. Source: Cal Poly Grand Avenue Housing, Tarantula Care Guide
- Many land invertebrates are restricted. Check with USDA PPQ before buying, because a PPQ 526 permit covers interstate movement and import and a seller holding permits is not a guarantee. This applies to snails, stick insects, scorpions and spiders. Source: USDA APHIS, Invertebrate pets
- The giant African land snail (Lissachatina/Achatina fulica and other Achatinine) is specifically prohibited for both importation and interstate movement in the US. Some aquatic apple snails (Ampullariidae) are restricted except for research, while Pomacea diffusa is listed as allowed interstate without a permit. Source: USDA APHIS, Snails and slugs
- Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), P. dictator and P. gambiensis are CITES Appendix II, so export and import need CITES paperwork. Source: NTNU Scorpion Files, CITES listings
Research picks
These are research picks drawn from published ratings and expert sources, not our own lab tests. Prices and ratings were seen on 2026-10-23 and can change.
Substrate Tarantulas, hermit crabs Research pick
Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber (24 qt)
Tarantulas and other burrowing invertebrates, and hermit crabs when mixed with sand. The Tarantula Collective's supplies page lists it, and Cal Poly advises 4 to 6 in of substrate for burrowing tarantulas.
Loose coconut fibre that absorbs waste and odour and is best used damp for tropical species.
Skip it if: Your species needs dry or arid conditions.
Price seen: $25.98 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.7 of 5, 395 ratings, 203 written reviews (product page)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Substrate (hermit crab) Hermit crabs Research pick
Fluker's Hermit Beach Sand Substrate (6 lb)
Hermit crab tanks, used with coconut fibre. The Hermit Crab Association advises sand that holds its shape like a sand castle when damp.
Bagged sand marketed for hermit crab habitats.
Skip it if: You keep other invertebrates, since this is crab-oriented.
Price seen: $6.49 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.7 of 5, 152 ratings on one list and 4.8 of 5, 117 ratings on another (list pages)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Feeding Hermit crabs Research pick
Fluker's Buffet Blend Hermit Crab Food (2.4 oz)
A base diet for hermit crabs, ranked on Chewy's hermit crab food list.
A mixed hermit crab food jar.
Skip it if: You rely on one jar as the full diet. The Hermit Crab Association stresses variety, and the ingredient list was not verified.
Price seen: $6.39 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.6 of 5, 91 ratings (list page)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Water conditioning Hermit crabs, arachnids Research pick
Zoo Med ReptiSafe Reptile Water Conditioner (8.75 oz)
Hermit crab fresh and salt water. The Hermit Crab Association says to dechlorinate all water, including misting water, with a conditioner that removes chloramines and heavy metals. The label lists hermit crabs and arachnids.
Removes chlorine and chloramine and binds ammonia and nitrite. Follow the label directions.
Skip it if: You already use another approved conditioner. For salt water you still need marine salt mix, which this product is not.
Price seen: $7.99 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.8 of 5, 412 ratings, 115 written reviews (product page)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Cleanup crew and feeder Spiders, scorpions, stick insects Research pick Limited reviews
Josh's Frogs Isopod Culture Kit
Bioactive spider, scorpion and stick insect enclosures where a cleanup crew and occasional snack are wanted.
Isopods break down waste and aerate substrate and can be an occasional snack. The kit includes 25 dwarf tropical white isopods, a 6 qt container, 4 qt isopod substrate and Repashy Bug Burger food.
Skip it if: Your animal is a delicate one that may be bothered by isopods (not verified), or you want more than 1 review of evidence.
Price seen: $47.96 (Josh's Frogs) | Josh's Frogs: 5 of 5, 1 review
See it at Josh's Frogs Not an affiliate link
Thermometer and hygrometer Hermit crabs Research pick Not yet rated
Zoo Med Hermit Crab Dual Temp and Humidity Gauge
Hermit crab tanks, where the Hermit Crab Association says to check a hygrometer for 70 to 85% humidity and 75 to 85 F rather than guess.
A stick-on combined gauge with a Velcro strip, item HC-11.
Skip it if: You want reviews, since there are none yet, or a digital probe. This is an analog dial.
Price seen: $10.99 (That Pet Place) | Rating not verified (0 reviews)
See it at That Pet Place Not an affiliate link
Hide and decor Tarantulas Research pick
Zoo Med Natural Cork Bark Round Reptile Wood (medium)
Tarantula hides (The Tarantula Collective lists cork rounds), plus climbing for arboreal invertebrates. Cal Poly says tarantulas need a snug dark hide, especially during molts.
A curved natural cork bark piece sold as reptile wood.
Skip it if: You need a hide with a pre-made opening for a very small sling.
Price seen: $13.98 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.3 of 5, 441 ratings (list page)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Feeding (treat) Hermit crabs Research pick
Zoo Med Hermit Crab Fruit Salad Food (.85 oz)
A supplementary treat for hermit crabs.
A fruit mix for hermit crabs.
Skip it if: You want a staple. This is a small bottle sold as a supplement.
Price seen: $5.99 (Chewy) | Chewy: 4.7 of 5, 112 ratings (list page)
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Check current price and availability before you buy. Links go to retailers and brands, and none are affiliate links yet. We have not checked recall databases for every item, so look up recalls before you buy.
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