HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I used to have crabs a couple of years ago, then had to give them away when we moved. I learned a lot about crabs before I recently got some more. However, I had a question:

When I had my crabs before, I didn't know they needed heat or humidity. The crabs did not have a lid on their tank or any kind of heating, yet they lived just fine. They would even molt occasionally. Is heating/humidity really that important?

Yes they do need heat and humidity. They cannot breathe without humidity. Perhaps your house had enough humidity and heat? Maybe they were just hardy crabs. Did they surface molt or do a normal molt?

They would molt under ground, if that is what you mean by a "normal molt."

Yes that is what I meant.

honestly? i have no idea. perhaps they were just hardy crabs. i had one at one point in time (super uneducated btw, like 9 or 10 yrs old) and it lived in the biggest tank at the store (surfshop) when i got it. so maybe like a 5 gallon? man, that dude lived till he was like (with me) 8. he and i grew up together. homeboy was strong !! my point being, crabs (most) can adapt to new environments super well (NOT ALL, JUST SOME!) and perhaps your house was already a nice temp?

Mabye!

Some crabs are more hardy than others, and will live longer in less than ideal conditions. Like there are people who smoke and drink and don't exercise and live to be 90 - but the average life span for someone who does those things would actually be far less.
Your crabs probably didn't live as long as they could have, if they had been in ideal conditions. You don't know if they died shortly after you gave them away, or if they lived for a long time.
Crabs have modified gills, and need higher humidity in order to breathe.

Good point! Thanks!