Hermit Crabs: The Disposable Pets We Need to Save
Picture this: the seashore boardwalk lined with little gift shops, each one housing a cramped, dimly lit store that’s home to sad, mistreated creatures. You might not have noticed them before, but if you take a closer look, you’ll find them stuck in tiny carrying cages with no room to move, surrounded by a meager supply of food and water. These forgotten and neglected pets are none other than hermit crabs. Even before they have a chance to find a caring home, they are subjected to abuse in the places where they are sold. It’s a truly heartbreaking situation.
Despite being low-cost and low-maintenance, hermit crabs are often treated as mere merchandise by pet stores. The birds worth hundreds of dollars are pampered, as are the expensive puppies and kittens. But what about the smallest and most affordable pets? Don’t they deserve the same level of care and attention? It’s distressing to see these delicate creatures being disregarded, with no consideration for their temperature and humidity needs. Stacked on the darkest bottom shelf, their aquariums are left unattended, lacking the basic requirements for their well-being. Unfortunately, there is no big organization fighting to protect these small creatures. The sad reality is that very few people are aware of or concerned about this issue.
If you decide to purchase a hermit crab from a pet store, don’t expect to receive any information or guidance about your new pet. Store clerks are often clueless or disinterested, dismissing any questions about tank conditions or suitable diets. To them, hermit crabs are “disposable” pets, easily replaced if they die due to neglect. Even some pet stores have policies in place allowing customers to return “defective” animals within 30 days, perpetuating a cycle of mistreatment and abandonment. This should never be allowed. Hermit crabs can live upwards of 15 to 20 years if properly cared for. It’s unfair to treat any living creature in such a callous manner. These animals didn’t choose to be taken from their tropical homes or bred for sale. They deserve to be treated with kindness and compassion.
If you’ve had the devastating experience of losing a hermit crab shortly after bringing it home, don’t blame yourself. These poor creatures often suffer intense stress while waiting to be sold, which can make them vulnerable to illness and death. Not to mention, most pet store clerks mishandle, neglect, and allow customers to mistreat these delicate animals. Unsupervised children and ignorant individuals can easily inflict harm on these fragile creatures without any consequences. If you’ve done your research, adopted a hermit crab, and provided it with proper care but it still perished, chances are it wasn’t your fault.
Instead of blaming yourself, focus on making more informed decisions. Seek out reputable pet stores and take the time to observe how they display and care for their hermit crabs. Are they housed in environments with proper temperature and humidity control? If not, it’s wise to consider not purchasing from that store. Educate yourself about hermit crab care and ask store associates questions to assess their knowledge. Do your homework and you’ll become a responsible and satisfied pet owner. If you have a soft spot for abandoned animals, consider rescuing hermit crabs from these dismal pet stores. Set up a separate habitat for them, gradually nurse them back to health, and integrate them with your existing crabs. It’s a noble endeavor, although not without risks. But remember, by saving these creatures, you’re giving them a chance at a better life, away from those who won’t care for them. Treat them as the living beings they are, and restore their dignity.
