HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi everyone, not the typical emergency, hence why I haven’t filled out the emergency form.

I have a friend living in Florida who found a hermit crab in a parking lot near where they live. She told me she was planning on taking him back to the beach there, but I wasn’t sure it would be safe for him or not. Still relatively new to caring for crabs, so I just don’t know. I don’t live anywhere near her, so unfortunately I am unable to take in the crab myself, but I don’t know what I should tell her to do. Thanks!!

What area of Florida does your friend live?

It could be native but can also be an escaped pet too.

Can you possibly get a picture and post it? That may help us determine the proper actions.

They live in the Sarasota area. I’m not sure how to attach at picture but if I can figure out how, I will.

arosenbaum wrote:They live in the Sarasota area. I’m not sure how to attach at picture but if I can figure out how, I will.

If you don't want to download the Tapatalk app to post pics try this:

Go to the photo you want to post. Then click your "share" icon. A menu should pop up that asks how you want to share it. Click "create link", and then share that link with us. This is how it works on my Android phone.

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Here is my "share" menu.

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Okay, I have an iPhone but there was a similar option. Let me know if it doesn’t work.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/01VWFd1 ... 7t6dYKsm-Q

This is a google photos link too:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/inyktcC8HWcKyLaY9

Hopefully one of those work!!

arosenbaum wrote:Okay, I have an iPhone but there was a similar option. Let me know if it doesn’t work.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/01VWFd1 ... 7t6dYKsm-Q

This is a google photos link too:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/inyktcC8HWcKyLaY9

Hopefully one of those work!!

It worked!

Aw how adorable! How far does your friend live from the beach? I think hermit crabs live more in southern Florida, but not sure. My gut is telling me it's a pet someone let loose, or it escaped. I don't think it would have wandered too far from a water source if it was wild.

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I am not 100% sure if this would be someones pet or not. For as much as we all hate painted shells I was hoping to see one.

I found this PDF about the Sarasota Bay area. It does mention hermit crabs as as being in the area.

[url]https://sarasotabay.org › 2015...PDF
Florida's Southwest Gulf Coast Bay Roamer's Guide[/url]

If it was found in an rural parking lot it could very well be a native crab. It could have also hitched a ride on something that was on the ground then transported.

I wish I was better at shell ID. If that is a native shell to Florida that crab could be native.

To be safe it would probably be best if your friend called the local fish and wildlife commission and explained the situation. They would be able to release the crab someplace safe, or allow your friend to keep it.

EDIT: looking at that crab again listed on that website I believe they are referring to a marine hermit crab not a land hermit crab.

Thank you for this info! I will definitely let her know, and hopefully figure out what to do. I hope whatever happens this little guy will be okay! I wish I could take him in; he’s adorable!

I've tried contacting Florida Fish and Game about this before and they could not answer about native ranges or if crabs found on the mainland are pets or wild. That far North is probably a pet.

The shell it is wearing is not native to Florida. However, I've been told people buy bulk seashells to use for driveways and walkways so it may have picked it up somewhere!

wodesorel wrote:I've tried contacting Florida Fish and Game about this before and they could not answer about native ranges or if crabs found on the mainland are pets or wild. That far North is probably a pet.

The shell it is wearing is not native to Florida. However, I've been told people buy bulk seashells to use for driveways and walkways so it may have picked it up somewhere!

I would be willing to take it in. I live in the tampa bay area. Contact me if they decide they dont want to keep it.


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Thank you! I will let her know!