Hermit Crabs as Pets: Know These Pros and Cons Before Getting One

If you’re looking for more of a non-traditional pet, hermit crabs are a great option. They are cute and curious animals that are fun to watch as they explore their enclosures. Overall, they are low maintenance as well, and a great option for those who are buying in their daily life. However, having hermit crabs as pets isn’t a decision you should make lightly. Explore the pros and cons below to determine if you can be a good owner of a hermit crab and if this is the pet for you.

Cons of Hermit Crabs

While owning hermit crabs can be rewarding, it’s not the easiest task. Though hermit crabs are small, that doesn’t make them simple creatures to take care of. Here are some of the cons of owning these cute little creatures.

A Lot of False Information

The biggest problem with owning hermit crabs is that it’s not easy to know how to take care of them. Pet stores and online blogs often make them sound much more simple to take care of than they actually are. This is why many hermit crabs bought from pet stores don’t last more than a year or two.

Unfortunately, even people who know most of this information is false have a hard time finding actual care guides online for their pets. There’s a lot of misleading and contrasting information and even the most conscientious of hermit crab owners will often find themselves making mistakes with their crabs.

Not Beginner Friendly

Despite what the store or seller tells you, hermit crabs are not beginner-friendly. Though they are rather cheap once you have their habitat set up, they are initially very costly. They also take a lot of trial and error and research.

Once you get the hang of hermit crabs and what they like, they’re easy enough to take care of, but the initial process can leave you lost and frustrated, as well as a whole lot lighter on cash. Even figuring out which species of hermit crab you want or need is a bit of a struggle.

Despite their size, hermit crabs are a little like dogs. You can’t just get one breed or species and expect them to all have the same requirements. Thankfully, there are communities for hermit crab owners who are eager to share information and answer any questions to ensure their favorite pets get proper treatment. Talking to these communities before getting a hermit crab can severely reduce the trials and unneeded costs.

They Are Colony Animals

You shouldn’t ever have just one hermit crab. They are animals that rely on others and may even stop eating. Most people notice that when hermit crabs are in groups, they are often more active.

At a minimum, they need one other friend, but there really is no maximum as long as you have the space for it. In the wild, they often live in groups of hundreds. Just ensure you have enough space or they can get aggressive and hurt each other.

It’s a Harmful Industry

Sometimes, even if you love hermit crabs and take good care of them, it feels cruel to own one as a pet. These animals don’t breed in captivity, so all are plucked right out of the wild and then stuck in cages.

Shell harvesting is also a problem. Your hermit crab will need new shells as they upgrade, and many people look to buy new shells online. However, far too many shells are harvested, leaving many in the wild without easy access to a larger shell to upgrade into.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t get a hermit crab as a pet. But finding sustainable ways to buy them and give them new resources is just as important as having the right habitat for your crab. If you can, it also helps to spread the word whenever possible to help people make more conscious decisions about their pets.

Pros of Hermit Crabs

While there are some serious cons to getting a hermit crab, they can actually be pretty neat pets.

Very Unique Pets

Not everyone has a hermit crab. Their behaviors, appearances, and care are quite different than most other animals you get, making for a unique experience.

Crabs Already Captured Need a Good Home

Like many animals, hermit crabs in pet stores are often very poorly treated. If you’re able to care for a hermit crab properly, you can take the time to buy and help hermit crabs that need care.

Fairly Long Life When Taken Care of Properly

Most hermit crabs in captivity aren’t cared for well and live for only a couple of years. However, hermit crabs that are cared for properly can live up to 10 years easily. Some have even reportedly lived for 20 to 40 years.

Quiet

For the most part, hermit crabs are pretty quiet. They are most active at night, and while they can make chirping sounds quite often, they still aren’t as loud as a cat or a dog.

Entertaining to Watch

There will be days you never see your hermit crabs, especially while they’re molting. However, around feeding times and at night, you can watch them scuttle around and explore their cages.

Minimal Care Once Set Up

Though the initial process is difficult, once you have your hermit crab’s habitat set up and know what they do and don’t like, they are easy to take care of as they only need a few enrichment toys, feeding a couple of times a week, and new water sometimes.