HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi! I'm learning about hermies before I pull the trigger as class pets. I've added everything I need to my wish list. I'm ready to mama these crabs.

But where do I actually get the crabs? What's a reputable place to go? I feel like I've searched every forum and don't see anything so please don't yell at me if this is a very obvious answer!

Check out our 'adoptions' forum to see if anyone in your area has crabs that need to be re-homed!
You can also keep an eye on any local swap and shop or buy and sell pages or sites online - that's where I got my two!

Thanks! I didn't see any up for adoption in my area but will keep looking!
If I end up going the online route, is livecrabs.com the best place to go?

There's three options for getting crabs right now

Adoption, either through our boards, Facebook groups, online classifieds, reptile rescues, etc. Many people get crabs and then change their minds because they're "boring". (And they don't do much so I do get the sentiment.) It's a great way to both help crabs and not support the industry.

Captive Bred, available online. Currently only Josh's Frogs carries babies bred by Mary Akers. Prices are much higher, and then of course shipping charges. This is a great option but realistically not possible for everyone.

Everywhere else. Any crab from any other location will be wild caught and treated the same way. I'd suggest avoiding anyplace online as shipping through the mail is done in a subpar manner (crabs cost them less than a dollar so if they die its no biggie to replace them) and will just add to the stress. Crabs sent to storefronts will arrive there in the same shipments that their other live pets do, and many times that is done with private deliveries so it's a bit safer in terms of temperatures and stress.

Wow! Thanks, hermie homie! This is super helpful!

Are all breeds equally easy to care for?

Well, that depends. Not exactly. But you're most likely- and I'm meaning 99% likely- to start off with purple pinchers. I've had my crabs for three years now and I haven't been able to get an exotic species yet.