Keeping lizards with hermit crabs

[redaces]

Okay everyone, i have a bit of a strange question.

I have a 3ft by 1ft by 1f fish tank, which is keeping hermit crabs. It has an under tank heater, a beach area, a rocky area, and a jungle area (covered by moss)

There is fresh, salt water and food available

One of my sons has decided he would like to keep a type of lizard (something with heaps of thorns on it if possible!) in the tank as well.

We have no experience in reptiles at all, hence our request for more info

Will the tank need anything else? A heat rock?

Also, we obviously need a licence.

Any and all help much appreciated.

[Viridae]

I would say no way in hell, either the hermies will have a go at the lizards (if you have big ones) or the lizard will eat the hermies - and thats just for the start.

Hermies also need high humidity, being gilled animals and as far as I know most lizards can't tolerate the kind of humidity hermies are kept in.

I could add half a dozen reasons more why not if I could be bothered to thing of them, but they are your main ones.

[abbott75]

I think there is a good chance that the new addition would make a quick meal of the crabbies. If you do end up getting a lizard, I'd suggest keeping it in a different enclosure.

Adam

[cris]

Im sure adult blue tounges would be fine with hermit crabs wouldnt they?

[wood_nymph]

please don;t do it.
1. for starters the humdity levels would be all wrong as pointed out
2. hermits need food left out for them and you probably don;t want your lizards eating that
3. the salt water the hermits have in there is not good for the lizards if they drink it
4. hermits have a habit of pinching everything to see what it is and treating open wounds on lizards ain't fun
5. if your lizard eats the crab you could face many health problems such as impactions from the inability to digest such a strong shell

i hope those are enough reaosns to put you off, lizards and all reptiles require special and spefic care please don't cut corners but comprismising their lving conditions just to save buting another tank.

[wood_nymph]

Originally Posted by cris

Im sure adult blue tounges would be fine with hermit crabs wouldnt they?

the first problem i would see with blueys in there is they would think the hermit crabs were snails and attempt to eat them. hermits live in hard sea shells which a bluey try as they might could not chomp through and would just hurt it's jaw trying not to meantion the crab nipping their mouth in defense

[sxc_celly]

Definetely dont do it, for all the reason above, plus some lizards need strong heat like beardeds need about a 35-40deg basking spot and hermits would fry under that. Lizards also NEED UV light. Dont keep them together. Most lizards also need feeding everyday with insects and im also sure the salt water, and humidity would go well with the lizard.