HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I just got two new hermit crabs, and though I have picked them up a couple of times, it scares me. I afraid I'll get freaked out and drop them. They're just really big crabs and I'm afraid they're going to pinch me. Any tips?

Hold your palm flat and keep a steady hand. Or let them crawl on your clothes. I'll set one on my lap and they'll happily work their way around for a while without me having to mess with them. That way you're interacting but not having to hold them.

But tbh if you just got them it's probably best to let them chill for a while anyway.


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs

Thanks! Yeah, I'm just gonna let them chill since I think they're still a little stressed.

It's not really necessary to handle your crabs and some think it benefits them if you don't, but a flat palm and closed fingers seems to work best with them.

Yeah, I was actually just thinking about that, and I probably won't handle them much - I know I'll be nervous, and I don't want to make them nervous. I wore a glove last time and that helped, too, because I wasn't as scared about getting pinched.