Hermit Crabs as Pets

Updated on August 22, 2013
L.E. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
7 answers

Hi Mommas,

We were at the beach last week, and my husband and son went off to get lunch, and came back with hermit crabs and a cute little carrier, food, shells and sand. It was a spontaneous purchas, which I know is never a good idea, but my husband caved as my son loves all animals and is very conscientious. He's been wanting fish or a lizard or snake for ages, and the sales person said the crabs were "easy to take care of," so my husband thought it was a good idea. My son was absolutely enthralled with his new pets, and was careful to feed them and soak their sponges exactly as instructed by the sales person. As soon as we got home we did our research to see what else they would need. Turns out everything because nothing the store sold us is actually suitable for keeping them alive.. We did a pet store run today for aquarium, proper substrate, warming light, saltwater, etc.-- almost $150 worth of supplies -- to set up a proper habitat, but one died tonight and it was not pretty. Poor kid is absolutely beside himself. I haven't seen him cry that hard since he was a toddler. Two surviving so far, we'll see.

Long and short of this post is to warn anyone else from falling for the idea that a hermit crab is an easy pet, and to ask if anyone has had success with keeping hermit crabs as pets. We've done tons of reading and I think we now are set up to care for them, but I wonder what our chances are. Any positive experiences would be most welcome as we are all somewhat traumatized by the events of the day and could use some encouragement or advice.
RIP Turbo Claw.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone. The remaining two seem to be doing ok. Now I don't want to vacuum in my son's room because I'm afraid I'll literally scare them to death. Ugh.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from New York on

We called him "Hermie". We loved him.

Hermie lived for a while, but just in the stuff you describe - the stuff our pet store recommended.

Your heart is in the right place. Good luck with the other two.

To bring some smiles into your house, check out these books (I liked them bc of the "Hermie" name):

http://www.hermythehermitcrab.com/

And this one for information:

http://www.amazon.com/Hermit-Barrons-Complete-Owners-Manu...

And the Mamapedia of Hermit Crab owners:

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?...

http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/index.php

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.W.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I used to have crabs and kept them in a wire cage..no heat lamp or fancy stuff and they lived a long time til we didnt shut the cage door tight and it escaped and we couldnt find it. My sister had a bunch too and a couple died randomly at the beginning and others lasted awhile. I think it is just the luck of the draw that some are sturdier than others. Sorry your little one was so upset.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from Tulsa on

I had one as a kid. I was giving it a little bath like you are supposed to do and the dead crab fell out into my hand. Yuck. Learned that lesson the hard way, and will NOT buy one for my kiddo! Hope your little guy has better luck with his remaining two!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm sorry. Hermit crabs are not easy. We got ours at one of those art fairs. I don't think ours ever ate so he probably starved to death. Never again.

We now have a goldfish and that's much easier.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I found out the hard way that an anole needs more than I was ready to provide, too.

Please also beware the pet store sale. You can get sold a lot of junk in a pet store, like salt licks and run balls for guinea pigs (as an example).

Find a reputable website and/or talk to a vet (yes, you will probably have to find an exotics vet). People who are really into these critters can steer you toward the right things and ultimately save you time, money and heartache by giving you better advice than the person in the beach shop.

Your family learned not to give in to the impulse buy, however well intentioned. I love animals as a general rule, too, but I should NEVER have gotten a lizard on a whim. Ever. Always give yourselves a cooling off period during which you research the critter.

Better luck with the rest of them. Sorry your kid is upset. Sometimes all you can do is try better now that you know better.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

Ah! I was going to warn you AGAINST getting one...too late.

Unfortunately touristy beach spots really push selling these little guys and make it seem so easy, and that they are "cheap" to care for. As you found out, they are not.
They are actually quite hard to keep alive. It's sad these shops sell so many of them probably to meet an early demise! Poor little guys.
Good luck to your remaining friends :)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.M.

answers from Harrisburg on

We had a few and they lived with whatever it was we bought at the beach store. We never bought anything else. My son enjoyed them for quite a while before they died.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions