Crabnapped

29/03/2026

Did you know that hermit crabs can regrow limbs? In this photo you can see a gel limb. Land hermit crabs are amazing creatures! Learn more about them at Crabstreet Journal
http://crabstreetjournal.org

15/03/2026

Crabnapped: a land hermit crab story is a cute book with a big message
I wrote a book about land Hermit Crabs that are kidnapped off the beach in Broome, Western Australia. It teachers children and adults that the Hermit Crabs they find in pet stores were taken from the wild.
Encouraging responsible pet ownership and the back of book has information about how to keep them alive in captivity. It's my hope that upon reading my book, people will realise that they are fascinating creatures that can live up to 50 years if they have the correct environment and nutrition.
Crabnapped is available on Amazon and through my website for signed author copies.

08/03/2026

📚Back to School with Claws in the Classroom! 📚

As the school year kicks off, it’s the perfect time to introduce your students to the fascinating world of land hermit crabs with the Claws in the Classroom program from the Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS)!

This FREE program provides teachers with:

✅ Habitat supplies, a variety of natural shells, and nutritious hermit crab food
✅ An expanded care guide exclusive to the program
✅ Ongoing support and guidance from experienced LHCOS members
✅ Access to educational materials on biology, conservation, and responsible pet care

Through this program, students will:
🌿 Explore the biology and lifecycle of land hermit crabs
🌎 Learn about conservation and the importance of protecting wild populations
🐚 Understand responsible pet ownership and ethical animal care

Bring hands-on learning and conservation education to your classroom today!

👉 **Apply now:** https://lhcos.org/claws-in-the-classroom/

Claws in the Classroom launched in 2018 and relies entirely on YOUR generous donations.

Let’s inspire the next generation of conservationists — one hermit crab at a time!

08/03/2026

Bee pollen is a superfood for hermit crabs, offering numerous nutritional health benefits. It’s a highly nutritious natural supplement contributing to their overall health, growth, and vitality.

Nutritional Composition of Bee Pollen:
Rich in Protein: Bee pollen contains 20-25% protein, which is essential for hermit crabs to repair and grow tissues, especially during molting.
Vitamins and Minerals: It is packed with B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12), vitamin C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These are crucial for maintaining strong exoskeletons and overall metabolic health.
Amino Acids: Bee pollen has all nine essential amino acids, which hermit crabs cannot produce on their own. These aid in cellular repair and energy production.
Enzymes and Coenzymes: promote healthy digestion
Health Benefits for Hermit Crabs:
Supports Molting:
The protein and amino acids in bee pollen help hermit crabs build strong new exoskeletons during molting.
Promotes Energy and Activity:
Bee pollen is a natural energy booster due to its carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, encouraging active foraging and exploration.
Enhances Coloration:
Carotenoids in bee pollen help enhance hermit crabs’ natural pigmentation, making their exoskeletons more vibrant.

https://crabstreetjournal.org/market/product/bee-pollen

🐚Daily Nutrition Spotlight

Every ingredient matters.

At Crab Street Journal, we focus on whole, biologically appropriate foods that support natural foraging behavior and species-appropriate nutrition for land hermit crabs.

No fillers.
No artificial additives.
Just real ingredients selected with care and research in mind.

Rotate proteins, plant matter, minerals, and enrichment foods to help support balanced nutrition and long-term health.

Feed smarter. Care better.

🛒Shop all single ingredients here: https://crabstreetjournal.org/market/product-category/hermit-crab-food/

08/03/2026

So cool seeing them change shells

18/02/2026

I wrote a book called “Crabnapped: a land hermit crab story” about Rocky and Crusty, two land hermit crabs that are crabnapped off a beach in Broome, Western Australia 🇦🇺

I was a primary school teacher in my 20s and the book is full of educational information about land hermit crabs and responsible pet ownership.

“One day Rocky and Crusty are sadly snatched from the beach at sunset, and kidnapped by a hermit crab supplier who puts them into a box and sends them via courier to a Sydney pet store. They are very scared and huddle together, not knowing what will happen next.“

Crabnapped: A Land Hermit Crab Story is available on Amazon and through my website

Australia 🇦🇺 paperback and kindle only
https://amzn.to/4d1BGqH

UK - hardcover, paperback and kindle https://amzn.eu/d/cqUqvKjn
USA - hardcover and paperback, kindle but won't ship to Australia https://a.co/d/2r2npdR

Signed hardcover Author copies at
https://www.vanessascrabitat.com.au/shop/books/crabnapped-pre-order

18/02/2026

A poem about my first encounter with a hermit crab

The Young’n
by H.St.V.Beechey

I babysit in the soft, warm sand.
She runs about on sturdy legs.
Perhaps she is sitting me—I do not run much any more.
She calls to me. “Great-grand-papa!”
Each consonant crisp as a race-caller.
“Great-grand-papa. Come quick! See? What is it?”
Creaking, I answer her urgency, to where she squats
Her attention pointing out the tiny creature.
Once, before I was great—before I was grand
I would have answered her. A lesson. A lecture
On the hermit crab.
But now I am wiser. “What do you see?”
“He is carrying his house.”
“And then? Tell me!”
“He is little, and he is frightened.”
“But?”
“But he is brave. He has a bitey hand, and he clicks it.
“His eyes are little sparks.
“He is a baby monster but I am not afraid!
What is he?”
“Look long and remember little one,” I say.
“THAT is what he is!”

17/02/2026

How cute is this hermit crab 🐚 in a bottle. It’s made of mini blocks and I had to get a friend to make it for me.

She started and then asked someone else to help and they did a great job 👏 So intricate and fiddly but worth the effort. You can get one at Kmart for $15. Did you put one together ? How long did it take?

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/mini-blocks-animal-series-assorted-43542628/

17/02/2026

My Great Grandpapa Harry St. Vincent Beechey wrote a poem about our visit to the beach where I met my first Hermit crab 🐚

—————
The Young’n

I babysit in the soft warm sand.
She runs about on sturdy legs.
Perhaps she is sitting me—I do not run much anymore.

She calls to me. “Great-grand-papa!”
Each consonant crisp as a race-caller.
“Great-grand-papa. Come quick! See? What is it?”
Creaking, I answer her urgency, to where she squats
Her attention pointing out the tiny creature.

Once, before I was great—before I was grand
I would have answered her. A lesson. A lecture
On the hermit crab.
But now I am wiser. “What do you see?”
“He is carrying his house.”
“And then? Tell me!”
“He is little, and he is frightened.”
“But?”
“But he is brave. He has a bitey hand, and he clicks it.
“His eyes are little sparks.
“He is a baby monster but I am not afraid!
What is he?”

“Look long and remember, little one.” I say.
“THAT is what he is! “
By Harry St. Vincent Beechey
_________

He was my Great Grandmother’s second husband. An amazing man. So talented and an inspiration to all that knew him

Illustration from the book “Crabnapped: A land hermit crab story” by Anastasia Obrucicova and written by Vanessa Pike-Russell and Geoff Pike

You can buy it on Amazon

https://amzn.to/4d1BGqH

17/02/2026

Come visit Carnival of Words Author Expo July 11-12, 2026. Vanessa will be selling Crabnapped and doing a colouring competition to win a copy of the book 📕 “Crabnapped: a land hermit crab story”.

Carnival of Words is held at the distillery road markets in Eagleby and there will be lots to see and do. I hope to see you there!

01/11/2025

Had a lovely day at Logan BookFest. Met some amazing people, handed out free hermit crab stickers and colouring competition pages and sold some books 📕 Thanks to everyone who came to my stall to see me.