Hermit Crab Life Expectancy

Their name implies seclusion and solidarity, but in reality, the hermit crab is anything but reclusive; choosing to live in large groups and colonies. Hermit crabs are decapods, meaning they have ten legs, just like lobsters and shrimp. Land hermit crabs make wonderful pets and are fairly easy to maintain, if given the proper love and care needed to thrive. Land hermit crabs reside on land and only return to the sea to deposit their eggs, therefore breeding them in captivity is a difficult task.

  1. The Facts

    • The hermit crab has been known to live anywhere from 15 to over 30 years while in captivity, hence in the wild, their life expectancy could easily double. Hermit crabs are extremely social creatures, often seen clustered together in large masses in the wild. Therefore if you buy one hermit crab, it is probably best to buy some friends as well, as they don't do well when living alone. Solitary hermit crabs can become listless and this can even shorten their life expectancy.

    Considerations

    • The keys to your hermit crab's heart and longevity are simple. Give them a deep enough sand/soil mixture so that they can bury themselves underground while they molt. There should be enough room in their habitat for an activity center that they can climb on, a food dish and a shallow dish for water. Hermit crabs will also change their shells, according to HermitCrabs.org, "When their home gets too small or dirty they will go searching for a new one." So give them enough good-sized empty shells to move into.

    Warning

    • Hermit crabs prefer a warm, humid, and comfortable climate, preferably around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your hermit crab's habitat out of direct sunlight, and be mindful about placing their habitat near air conditioner or heating vents, as this could make their habitat too airy.

    Identification

    • How do you tell the age of your hermit crab? Florida Marine Research helps shed some light on this topic by stating, "Although not scientifically conclusive, hermit crab keepers have widely held assumptions when determining the age and sex of land hermit crabs. The little teeth on the larger claw seem to imply age. The more teeth, the older the hermit crab. Of course, size is another factor. Jumbo hermit crabs (softball size and larger) are estimated to be between 15 and 50 years old."

    Benefits

    • Like with any other pet, make time to play with your hermit crab. There is no better way to get to know your crab and to establish trust than to play with them. Hermit crabs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are more active at night than during the day. Owning a hermit crab can be a rewarding and lifelong friendship.