Can You Eat Hermit Crabs?
These cute little crustaceans live in shells that don’t belong to them but other animals. Hermit crabs are omnivores and eat fruit, algae, clams, mussels, and they don’t care if they’re dead or alive. Sadly, Hermit crabs are also kept as pets. So thinking about eating them can be a tad horrifying.
Can You Eat Hermit Crabs?
Hermit crabs are edible. In the sense that you won’t be poisoned and expire. If you’re stranded on a desert island and you don’t want to starve, kind of edible. But aside from sustaining oneself in a life-threatening situation, they really should not be a food choice.
There is a reason we don’t see them on restaurant menus and in the seafood section of our supermarkets. There are a few reasons for this. The first being that they’re just not that meaty. By the time they are cooked and the legs fall off, there’s really no point.
The next reason is a bit more ominous. These crabs are scavengers and eat a lot of dead matter and garbage. This diet makes them taste bad. Worse, it can make them toxic depending on what they ingest. If you must, for some reason, eat a hermit crab, be sure to cook them first.
What Type Of Hermit Crab Is Best To Eat?
There is actually a type of hermit crab that makes for good eating. The species is called the Coconut crab and it lives off the Pacific islands and the coast of Africa. These large, terrestrial hermit crabs can grow to be 9 pounds and 3 feet long.
Though still considered scavengers, they prefer to eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. Crazy for coconuts, they routinely climb the trees to eat the fruit. The people in these areas eat the coconut crab.
It’s said that, in addition to tons of meat, they have a delightful nutty taste. If, for some reason, you feel compelled to eat a hermit crab, please follow these guidelines:
- Do not eat a dead hermit crab. You will become quite ill.
- Don’t eat them raw. Raw hermit crabs are not edible.
- Wash them thoroughly, removing all dirt, sand, and debris.
Do Hermit Crabs Make Good Pets?
Hermit crabs come from the sea, and that’s where they should stay. For some reason, humans have turned them into a novelty pet. Sadly, they are sold in pet shops, mall kiosks, and at seaside boardwalks all over the world.
In the wild, a hermit crab can live up to 30 years. In captivity they live only a short time. Hermit crabs love living with other hermit crabs. Normally, they live in colonies where they forage for food and sleep together.
When in captivity, they usually will not breed. Crabs also need sand in which to burrow so they can molt. If it can’t molt, it will not grow. Then, the shells that are taken from the Hermit crab’s natural habitat and sold as “accessories,” are creating a shortage for crabs in the wild.
Finally, and worst of all, the Hermit crab has gills which need to be kept moist. So they need a certain humidity level. If that’s not present, they will slowly suffocate and die.
How Are Hermit Crabs Different From Other Crabs?
- Hermit crabs have no exoskeleton. They need to find empty shells to live in.
- They are actually more closely related to lobsters than other crabs.
- Hermits are much smaller than all other crabs.
- These tiny crabs do not taste good.
- True crabs have a narrow abdomen that is covered in an armored shell. Hermit crabs have broad abdomens and no shell to protect them.
Death Of A Hermit
As mentioned, Hermit crabs in the wild usually live about 30 years. That is if they can manage to out smart their predators, which include larger crabs and birds. Most captive Hermit crabs are not so lucky. If they don’t succumb to suffocation, there’s a variety of other ways they can meet their fate while captive. These include:
- Stress – The crabs often die from the trauma of being removed from their natural habitat.
- Drowning – Hermit crabs have been known to drown in toilets, bathtubs, and sinks while searching for moisture.
- Toxicity – The crabs can die from drinking dirty water or other fluid, inhaling fumes like hair spray, cologne, or cleaning products.
- Infection – Fungus and bacteria can grow on the crab and in their shell if their area is not kept sanitary.
However, if well cared for and given proper attention, it is possible for hermit crabs to live as long as their wild counterparts. There was a case of a captive hermit, named Johnathan Livingston who lived a remarkable 44 years at a retirement home in Florida. Generations of residents and staff cared for Johnathan and made sure all his needs were met. He thrived at the home until he himself passed away of old age.
Hermit Crab Fun Facts
- When a Hermit crab finds a shell, other hermits will line up and wait in case it doesn’t suit him.
- Hermit crabs are an important part of the ecosystem. They remove waste and decay from the environment.
- Hermit crabs can shrink. If it cannot find a shell to fit, it will shrink to fit into the one it has.
- They are neither hermits or crabs.
- These crabs can shed and regrow limbs.
- All Hermit crabs are born in the ocean. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the mother crab will fling them into the water. Once they hit the salt water, the eggs will explode.
- They are right-handed.
- Hermit crabs have great memories. They remember things like shells they once lived in, painful experiences, and if fellow crabs are friend or foe.
- They are nocturnal. Too much bright light irritates their eyes. They’ve been known to pinch off their eye stems if they get too much sun.
- The hermits pee through their faces. There is a tiny hole next to their antennae that expels urine.
You can also read:
