As new hermit crab owners become experienced hermit crab owners, they often want to branch out and acquire different species. Many crabbers are often frustrated by the lack of availability of different species and sizes at their local pet stores and consider buying hermit crabs over the internet.

Whether or not you get hermit crabs delivered by mail is up to you. Hermit Crabs DO get mailed, that's how they get to pet stores. If you make the decision to order crabs in the mail, you need to consider the following things:

1. What conditions are they kept in at the store/location where you are purchasing them? The owners shouldn't have a problem answering your questions. If they do, then look elsewhere.

2. What are the exact methods that they use to ship their crabs? You are looking for someone who packs well, preferably insolated, moist and with a heat or cold pack depending on the season. They should also have a "no ship" policy during extreme weather seasons (even if you both are in a warm region).

3. Expect to pay considerably more than you would pay in a pet store. Expect around $20 for overnight shipping. Yes, priority or ground shipping are both cheaper methods but neither are guaranteed. I've known priority mail packages to take up to two weeks. Unless the shipping offers a guaranteed delivery time, pick someone else. Then make sure there is a person home to pick up and unpack the crabs ASAP.

4. Be prepared to ISO the hermit crabs right away and for longer than you would isolate pet store hermit crabs. This is a second stressful journey. There is a good chance that some won't make it. We only see the live hermit crabs that make it into the pet store tanks, there are many that don't. This is true for all shipped animals. Some are almost always lost in the shipping process. By choosing to order crabs by mail, this is a risk that you must accept. This is why sellers often send "extras". If you order three crabs, do not be surprised to see five or six. It is common practice to over-ship to compensate if one or two die along the way. In fact, just the other day I saw a customer comment on eBay that said "8 of 9 crabs made it, thanks!" I strongly discourage anyone from buying hermit crabs on eBay. Unless they can offer proof that they are licensed to sell hermit crabs, they may be getting them from anywhere, including nearby beaches. (eBay sellers are often located in Florida). Also, pet-store owners are required to pass inspections by state and local government organizations and private citizens are not. You will have no real information about how those hermit crabs are being cared for.

Once you have made your decision to ship you need to abide by the self imposed "no ship" window, which
takes place from October through April. This ban is important regardless of the point of origin or the point of delivery. For example, you might
think it's okay to buy hermit crabs in winter because they are being shipped from Florida and you live in Texas. However, the post office in it's infinite
wisdom, often routes packages (even overnight) through other major Post Office hubs. Those can be states away. A good example is Chicago and Omaha, both are very cold right now. This is also true for FedEx and UPS. If you are desperate the best thing to do is to look into a courier service like Airborne express or talk with the Post Office about routes. It's possible that it will stay in good climates but it is just as possible that it will not. If it goes through a cold city, a heat pack cannot fight the temps outside. Packages are shipped in unheated trucks and are often left to sit on airport tarmacs unprotected for long periods of time.

So be careful, don't make a purchase in haste. Consider all the potential risks before you make that purchase.

This is a tricky question. It'­s true that hermit crabs are marketed toward children, especially the ones found in tourist shops and in mall kiosks. Brightly colored painted shells jump out and grab the attention of anyone who walks by, but especially children. What kid isn't attracted to a Sponge-Bob shell and the strange creature living inside it. Store employees are quick to assure a questioning parent that they require very little care, almost no supplies, and can live inside a very small kritter keeper. Soon you are walking out with a new crab
in a small plastic box and a very big problem.

The ideal age for a younger person who wants a hermit crab is 10 and older. However, every child is different
and you would do better to watch for clues that your child would be a good crabby care giver rather than base the opinion on age. I've known good crabbers as young as 8 and bad crabbers of all ages. It really depends on their personality. So what kind of kid goes well with hermit crab caregiving?

1. Kids who are interested in science and biology (not a requirement but definitely a bonus. These types of kids seem to work out best.)
2. Kids who aren't put off by a hermit crab that will disappear for weeks at a time or who may not like being handled.

3. Kids who can maintain a care regiment that includes a varied diet, cleaning and maintenance, and monitoring humidity and temperature. (Or a parent who is willing to do it themselves.)

Hermit crabs are often pushed on parents as the easier version of the hamster. Nothing could be further from the truth. It would be much more accurate to categorize a hermit crab with other exotic pets like birds and lizards. In fact, I believe that iguana care and hermit crab care are very comparable. While you may be told that hermit crabs rarely live longer than a month or two, there are many hermit crab owners who have crabs as old as 4 or 5 years. Hermit Crabs in the wild can get to be up to thirty years old, and even older. A Hermit Crab is an advanced-level pet if you are dedicated to providing the proper care. In my many years of pet care, I have found that one of the biggest myths is that there are any animals that requires almost no care, except perhaps the pet rock. This is true for goldfish, Bettas, and especially Hermit Crabs.
If your son or daughter is thinking of becoming a hermit crab caregiver, consider adoption rather than purchase. Hermit crabs are harvested from the wild. Yes, that hermit crab you saw at the pet store was on the beach in the not-to-distant past. Go to www.hermitcrabadoptioncenter.com and sign up as an adopter. Post on your local Freecycle. Contact the Humane Society and leave your name and number. There are a lot of unwanted hermit crabs out there who need a loving, knowledgeable home. All it takes on your part is a little bit of patience.

If you just can't wait to get your Hermit Crab (and a few buddies) and must purchase them. Stay away from crabs in painted shells. The stress that a crab undergoes in the process of harvesting and then forcing them into painted shells diminishes your changes for Hermit Crab success. Shop around. Find crabs in natural shells. Your hermit crabs will be happier and healthier for it.