HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Due to the unprecedented challenges facing delivery services in the US, the HCA is officially supporting a pause on mailing hermit crabs at this time. While we have never been against sending hermit crabs through the mail when done so properly and safely, the volume the delivery companies are dealin...

Article written by JoeHermits of the Hermit Crab Association. Although they may be visually enticing, painted shells should be discouraged from use for both ethical and safety-related reasons. Ethics of Painted Shells: Wild hermit crabs are harvested in non-painted shells and so must be enticed int...

Guide written by JoeHermits of the Hermit Crab Association. In certain situations, a hermit crab may leave its shell without acquiring a new one, usually as a result of stress or weakness. When that happens, your priority is getting it to wear a shell—without one, the crab’s abdomen is vulnerable t...

In light of recent events, posts have been removed. We want this to remain an enjoyable place for everyone that is a part of the HCA.

The Admins and Mods would like to remind everyone that while we encourage educating others on proper pet care, we ask that you do so in a polite and respectful manner. Please also keep in mind that there are many differing opinions and methods of crabbing, and often there isn't just one answer.

Hi All! Lately there seem to be a lot of members starting rescues and stores. The HCA wants to take a moment to cover the policies regarding how these topics and posts are handled, and to inform the stores and rescues what is expected of them. Stores The HCA has always had a very strong policy regar...

Welcome to the FAQ section! This area was created so that all HCA articles would be located in one easy to find place. We hope that new members will be able to find the information they need quickly, and that old members will have an easier time referencing the guides when needed. To keep everything...

Our community uses a lot of abbreviations on a daily basis, which can be confusing for newer members. Here's a handy list of the most commonly used shortcuts. Locations: HCA =Hermit Crab Association or HCA = Hermit Crab Addiction (store) HCP = Hermit Crab Patch (store) or HCP = Hermit Crab Paradise ...

SAFE FOODS Questions about an item on this list - or questions about any food item - should be directed to the [Food & Water] section as a new topic. This list will be kept updated as new safe food items are brought to our attention. The following is an amended list from the Epicurean-Hermit websit...

UNSAFE AND UNPOPULAR FOODS Questions about an item on this list - or questions about any food item - should be directed to the [Food & Water] section as a new topic. This list will be kept updated as unsafe food items are brought to our attention. The following is an amended list from the Epicurean...

Questions about anything on this page - or questions about any food item - should be directed to the [Food & Water] section as a new topic. Updates to this page can be made by contacting any Administrator or Moderator. What do I feed my crabs? You will read a lot of messages on this forum about the...

This article was originaly published by Kilimanjaro on July 30, 2008. Some information may be out of date, but the overall information on hermit crab nutrition is sound. Questions about anything on this page - or questions about any food item - should be directed to the [Food & Water] section as a ...

Links and Quick Reference Lists updated May 2017 Questions about anything on this page - or any question about water that is used with hermit crabs and their enclosure - should be directed to the [http://hermitcrabassociation.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=25][Food & Water][/url] section as a new topic....

Contents Prefered Shell Guide -Coenobita clypeatus (Purple Pincher) -Coenobita compressus (Ecuadorian) -Coenobita brevimanus (Indoneasian) -Coenobita rugosus (Ruggie) -Coenobita perlatus (Strawberry) -Coenobita violascens (Viola) -Coenobita purpureus (Blueberries) A Basic Guide of Unpopular Shells ...

The humidity levels for hermit crabs should be kept higher than 70% at all times. Hermit crabs breathe using modified gills rather than lungs, so when their environment is too dry it can cause severe injury, and extended periods of low humidity can even lead to death. An ideal relative humidity rang...