HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi all,
So 18 of my 20 rescue crabs came to me by shipping, I never had any complications. I have noticed that sometimes on this thread people feel pretty strongly about not shipping crabs- even in dire situations. Can someone give me the argument against shipping? I know there are risks with shipping any animal and also I have heard some people say "it's just wrong." I don't really understand that as sometimes it's a life or death situation. I have been sure to get the quickest form of shipping for my crabs and as well as making sure the shippers put fragile and this side up signs. So I guess what I am asking is- what are the downsides?


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Well there are many things
They can die in the shipping process.
They most likely do not have the correct care in the box.
It stresses them.
And would you want to be in a box with hardly any air for a couple days?
But you have been lucky, most of the time at least one dies during the shipping. But there are possibilities.

HeyItsEggs wrote:Well there are many things
They can die in the shipping process.
They most likely do not have the correct care in the box.
It stresses them.
And would you want to be in a box with hardly any air for a couple days?
But you have been lucky, most of the time at least one dies during the shipping. But there are possibilities.

I always got overnight shipping. I also was sure that there shipping tracks temp isn't too cold. I also have the shippers put ventilation. And I know it's not ideal but I feel that it is sometimes necessary.


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It's very debated. Most people avoid shipping at all costs- for several reasons. Occasionally even overnight packages get delayed. Also, it is hard to regulate temperatures across the nation. For example: it may be 75 in Nebraska, but down where I'm shipping in Texas might be 90. Too hot can be a problem too. Also, they are not always nice to packages when it comes to transport, even when the item is labeled "fragile." Plus, crabs that are shipped run the risk of pps. Am I saying shipping should never-ever happen? No. Do I think that all other options should be exhausted before shipping is considered? Yes. Simply because it is stressful to the crabs. Nobody would decide to put a dog in a box, pad it up, and label it fragile for overnight shipping- mostly because it's illegal, but I digress. I just feel like making people feel like shipping them to and fro willy nilly is fine just adds to the idea of them being a throwaway pet- easy to get rid of. Perhaps if people have to make a bit of effort to find a home for their crab they just picked up for the heck of it, they will think again before purchasing an animal they have no clue about. Having hermits definitely changed my perspective on buying pets. That being said, if there is no other option, I'd much rather a crab be shipped than die. It really isn't a pleasant subject to think about.

Rawrgeous wrote:It's very debated. Most people avoid shipping at all costs- for several reasons. Occasionally even overnight packages get delayed. Also, it is hard to regulate temperatures across the nation. For example: it may be 75 in Nebraska, but down where I'm shipping in Texas might be 90. Too hot can be a problem too. Also, they are not always nice to packages when it comes to transport, even when the item is labeled "fragile." Plus, crabs that are shipped run the risk of pps. Am I saying shipping should never-ever happen? No. Do I think that all other options should be exhausted before shipping is considered? Yes. Simply because it is stressful to the crabs. Nobody would decide to put a dog in a box, pad it up, and label it fragile for overnight shipping- mostly because it's illegal, but I digress. I just feel like making people feel like shipping them to and fro willy nilly is fine just adds to the idea of them being a throwaway pet- easy to get rid of. Perhaps if people have to make a bit of effort to find a home for their crab they just picked up for the heck of it, they will think again before purchasing an animal they have no clue about. Having hermits definitely changed my perspective on buying pets. That being said, if there is no other option, I'd much rather a crab be shipped than die. It really isn't a pleasant subject to think about.

That's a good point. In the future I won't be shipping but the situation the came from was very Dire. Thanks for the input and sorry if I prompted an unpleasant subject /:


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It's okay, I just get mad when I think about how people treat animals as possessions to be discarded when they please. It's not your fault at all, it's just how it is.

Rawrgeous wrote:It's okay, I just get mad when I think about how people treat animals as possessions to be discarded when they please. It's not your fault at all, it's just how it is.

I agree, that's why I am never purchasing an animal, only adopting and I now see the wrongness of shipping crabs but I don't regret doing it in that specific example as the guy was planning to release them by a Nevada lake at the end of the week.


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I'm not saying it's never okay, I just feel like it needs to be warranted. In your case I'd say yes, it was definitely better than the alternative.

Rawrgeous wrote:I'm not saying it's never okay, I just feel like it needs to be warranted. In your case I'd say yes, it was definitely better than the alternative.

I agree completely. They shouldn't be just thought of as "Things" they should be thought of a living creatures that should be treated as if they are human. They are dying for no reason and it is very sad. I totally recommend buying/adopting in person, not at a pet store.

I personally will not ship crabs, period, as I live in Texas. By the time it is safe to ship here, it is too cold in the rest of the continental U.S.

Cold and heat packs fail, delivery personnel are notorious for mishandling items, and a lot of times, people fail to notify the postal services that there are live animals in the packages.

(Also just want to note that hermit crabs do not breathe air, so if they are packed in damp moss to be shipped, the humidity would be sufficient and they would not suffocate.)

Most people have no idea HOW to ship live animals. Reptiles are shipped all the time, and many of them can die from stress just as easy and even faster than crabs. (Chameleons and wild caught baby snakes come to mind first.)

If you ever need to ship crabs, follow this site completely, don't be cheap. https://shipyourreptiles.com/
Here's the shipping guide https://shipyourreptiles.com/en/get-hel ... uestion-23
Adding wet sphagnum moss to the inside of the container for humidity and they should ship fine. If these standards work for people buying $5k snakes and lizards, along with the tiniest and most sensitive of baby reptiles, they'll work just fine for crabs.

I joined moments ago and glad I came across this topic. I live in WI. I have no option but to purchase a crab from a store where I've seen intolerable conditions, (and yes, I'd love to win the lottery to save them all). Knowing these pet stores "received shipment" I thought of having them be shipped direct to me to avoid the store. What other options might there be for me in the frozen tundra? I'm excited to hear if there is another option.

Welcome to the HCA! There is always adoption. It would require you driving to meet someone.


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Vyleta wrote:I joined moments ago and glad I came across this topic. I live in WI. I have no option but to purchase a crab from a store where I've seen intolerable conditions, (and yes, I'd love to win the lottery to save them all). Knowing these pet stores "received shipment" I thought of having them be shipped direct to me to avoid the store. What other options might there be for me in the frozen tundra? I'm excited to hear if there is another option.

Welcome! Adoption is always best. Look on Craigslist and on the HCA adoption forum. I mean, the pet stores are bad so I guess you could have them shipped to you but, I feel like taking shipments from an adopter would basically be the same (I know most people on here are against shipping crabs so not meant to split hairs) but if your only options are shipping crabs direct from a facility or shipping crabs from someone who can no longer care for them I would choose the later. Also will lower chances of PPS. But look on Craig's/ here first.


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