Hermit Crab Pet: Are They Unethical?

Most people know hermit crabs as the critters with colorful shells that frequently appear in souvenir shops. I’ll admit I always used to be mesmerized by them as a kid. But now, as an adult, the more I learn about them, the more I realize that the hermit crab industry is a lot darker than it seems. So, why shouldn’t you buy a hermit crab pet from a souvenir shop? And is there an ethical way to acquire one?

Why is a Hermit Crab Pet Unethical?

Hermit crabs as pets are unethical for several reasons, including how they’re acquired, how they’re treated, and how they’re marketed. Land hermit crabs are the type of hermit crabs we see as pets, as opposed to aquatic hermit crabs, which spend most of their time underwater.

Hermit Crabs are Taken from the Wild

Nonprofit organization Land Hermit Crab Owners Society states that “all land hermit crabs in the pet trade are wild-caught.”

Breeding hermit crabs in captivity is very difficult and complicated, so sellers have found it’s easier and more profitable to take these poor animals out of the wild. 

As cool as wild animals are, the wild is where they belong. Hermit crabs play a part in their local ecosystem, so taking a large number of them out of their natural habitat not only harms them, but it can harm the other natural species they live near.

In their ecosystem, hermit crabs help with nutrient cycling when they scavenge, act as a walking habitat for smaller invertebrates, and become part of an essential diet for coastal predators.

Transport and Handling are Stressful

On top of the negative impacts to the ecosystem, transporting wild hermit crabs to shops is also harmful for the individual crabs.

The crabs aren’t usually transported carefully. First, they’re kept in holding facilities for several days, usually without access to basic necessities like food and water. Then, they’re tightly packed up into burlap sacks as if they’re products rather than living creatures.

Transportation times can vary greatly, depending on where the animals are headed. The Animal Welfare Institute explained: “They are then packaged and transported potentially thousands of miles away for resale to live, often quite briefly, behind the plastic walls of an aquarium tank.”

Many Hermit Crabs Don’t Survive

Land Hermit Crab Owner Society states that millions of hermit crabs die because of the pet trade every year.

Extreme temperature, lack of food, and added stress can all play a role in the deaths during transport. The ones that do survive transport don’t live much longer since sellers rarely share appropriate care requirements with buyers.

Every time someone buys a hermit crab from these shops, the cycle continues. Buying one shows the store that there’s a demand, causing them to bring in more even if it means more will die along the way.

Painted Shells are Toxic

One of the biggest selling points for hermit crabs is their colorful shells. The shells are often painted like objects or cartoon characters to capture the attention of kids walking by.

Unfortunately, these painted shells are only for aesthetics and serve no benefit to the crabs. They can even harm hermit crabs because the crabs may eat paint and resin chips from the shell, which can be toxic to them. Adding decorations to the shell can also make it heavier for the crabs, making it harder for them to move around.

Rather than only giving hermit crabs a shell with a cool appearance, owners should be offering a variety of shell options so the crab can choose the one they’re most comfortable in.

They’re Incorrectly Marketed as “Easy” or “Beginner” Pets

Shops advertise hermit crabs as if they’re great pets for children or beginners. However, they require a lot of research just like any other pet.

In the wild, hermit crabs typically live 30 to 50 years, according to OceanHero. While they can still live for several decades in captivity with proper care, many pet hermit crabs die within their first year due to improper care.

Their enclosures require more space than the small plastic carriers sold at souvenir shops. They also need high heat and humidity at all times, along with deep substrate and a specialized diet.

Is There a Way to Ethically Acquire a Pet Hermit Crab?

The only ethical way to get a hermit crab pet is from a rescue or rehoming situation.

That way, you’re giving a new, loving home to a hermit crab that’s already in captivity without giving any money to the stores that take them from the wild.

Hermit crabs might appear at regular animal shelters and rescues, but there are some organizations that specialize in helping them. Land Hermit Crab Owners Society has an adoption program that helps rehome hermit crabs worldwide.

How to Properly Care for a Hermit Crab Pet

If you adopt a hermit crab from a rescue or rehome situation or if you previously bought a hermit crab without knowing about the unethical practices, it’s important to give your hermit crab proper care. They’ve already been through a lot during transport, but you can help ensure the rest of their life is as healthy and stress-free as possible.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Hermit crabs should have at least 10 gallons of space per crab

• They do best in pairs or small groups, but only if they have enough space

• The tank should consistently be 75°F to 85°F

• Humidity in the tank should be 75% to 85%

• Hermit crabs need a varied diet, including proteins (like mealworms, crickets, and small shrimp), calcium, fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts

• Include 3 to 5 appropriately-sized shells per hermit crab in the tank

• Avoid handling hermit crabs as much as possible since it can cause severe stress

• Hermit crabs need freshwater and saltwater available at all times

• The tank's substrate should be kept at least six inches deep

Following these tips can help set you up for success, but make sure to do your own research to ensure you’re handling every aspect of your hermit crab’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Hermit Crabs Good Pets?

Yes, hermit crabs can be good pets, but only when obtained ethically. Do not support souvenir shops that sell hermit crabs because those are taken out of the wild. If you obtain a hermit crab from a rescue or rehome situation, they can be great pets as long as you do your research.

How Long Do Pet Hermit Crabs Live?

Sadly, most pet hermit crabs only live 1 to 4 years due to improper care. If properly cared for, they can live 10 to 40 years, similar to their wild lifespan.

Are Hermit Crabs Freshwater or Saltwater?

Pet hermit crabs need both freshwater and saltwater. They drink freshwater but keep their gills damp using saltwater.

Is it Cruel to Keep Hermit Crabs as Pets?

Yes, in general, it’s cruel to keep hermit crabs as pets because all hermit crabs in the pet trade were taken from the wild and transported in stressful conditions. It isn’t cruel if you get a rescued or rehomed hermit crab because then you’re caring for a captive hermit crab without putting money into the industry. Just make sure you offer proper care.

Are Hermit Crabs Safe to Touch?

Yes, it’s safe to touch and hold hermit crabs, but handling should be kept to a minimum. They can get stressed easily, so only hold them when it’s essential.

Avoid Shops Selling Hermit Crab Pets

I’m sure most people have seen hermit crabs in souvenir shops without thinking twice. Even though they look cool in their colorful shells, don’t purchase them. Every time someone buys from these shops, they’re giving money to the unethical pet trade and showing that there’s a demand for hermit crabs.

If you’ve always wanted a hermit crab pet, see if you can find one at a rescue or from someone rehoming one. Just make sure you’re willing to give the hermit crab proper care rather than treating them only as an aesthetic.

All animals, no matter how small, should be treated with respect rather than sold as products. Please think twice next time you’re tempted to buy a cool-looking pet on a whim.