How to Handle Pet Hermit Crabs

Hermit crabs can be great pets, especially for people who are allergic to the dander of animals with fur. You can purchase some beautifully decorated shells for your crabs, and have fun building an enjoyable habitat for them. However, when handling your crabs you need to remember proper handling techniques. This will keep them happy and healthy and keep you from getting pinched.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Respect that crabs do have pincers and will use them to defend themselves if they feel frightened or threatened. This is completely natural behavior. At pet stores, people often handle crabs improperly and may be rough with them. Therefore, it may take some time for them to become comfortable with you.

2. Pick up your crab from the back of his shell. If your hand is too close to the front of the shell, the crab can reach around with his pincers and grab your finger.

3. Give your crab plenty of space in which to move around after you take him out of his home. If they are enclosed in a fist or not able to move around comfortably, they become frightened. It is not a good idea to hold the crab for long; it is better to place him on a surface such as the floor and watch him play.

4. Use gloves on your hands if you are nervous about getting pinched. If you are nervous, you are more likely to drop the crab or handle him improperly in some way.

Tips & Warnings

• If your crab does pinch your finger and won't let go, it will hurt but don't get upset. Simple walk slowly to a sink and run some warm water on him. That should entice him to release.
• Don't use hot or cold water to release a crab's pinch, as this could cause the crab irreversible damage and even death.
• Don't ever let your crab fall from any distance. This would most likely be fatal.