Is it cruel to keep Hermit Crabs??

[Rocky998]

I was looking at lifespans of hermit crabs and they are INCREDIBLE! 30-40yrs in the wild but many say that when in captivity they only live about a few months to a few years...
That's extremely sad and makes me wonder if it's really ethical or morally right.
I wouldn't keep them then unless I had a really good set up for them. Because some people (very few it seems) have success with keeping a hermit crab for a long time

 

[Byron]

The same question is relevant to keeping fish, or any animal for that matter. Many of us certainly do work to provide what the fish species require, but not everyone does this.

 

[Rocky998]

The same question is relevant to keeping fish, or any animal for that matter. Many of us certainly do work to provide what the fish species require, but not everyone does this.

Yes but it seems as though hermit crabs lives are definitely in danger more than fish, reptiles, or dogs/cats...
Their life span gets shortened all the way from 40yrs to just a month or maybe more time if lucky.

And while it's true that fish get really bad living conditions they are easier to keep alive and healthy and there isn't much of an excuse.

But look at sea world and their orcas... They are animals that just don't so well in captivity. And I'm starting to think Hermit crabs may be the same

 

[Back in the fold]

Yes it is cruel. They want to be alone and you're forcing them to socialize. They don't call them Hermit crabs for nothing.

 

[Rocky998]

Yes it is cruel. They want to be alone and you're forcing them to socialize. They don't call them Hermit crabs for nothing.

But they like living in groups...

 

[Back in the fold]

But they like living in groups...

Whaat ? ? ? Hermits live by themselves. Oh . . . you missed the joke , as usual.

 

[Coryking]

I was looking at lifespans of hermit crabs and they are INCREDIBLE! 30-40yrs in the wild but many say that when in captivity they only live about a few months to a few years...
That's extremely sad and makes me wonder if it's really ethical or morally right.
I wouldn't keep them then unless I had a really good set up for them. Because some people (very few it seems) have success with keeping a hermit crab for a long time

In some ways no. Experienced hobbyist should know how to keep hermits alive. Off cause if its a newbie then it can be cruel. A good example of something similar is the copper band butterfly so many experienced hobbyist have kept one a good example is the people from tidal gardens having one in most tanks since they know how to keep them. It will be the same for hermits experienced people will be able to keep them while others can't.

 

[Rocky998]

Whaat ? ? ? Hermits live by themselves. Oh . . . you missed the joke , as usual.

Can't hear sarcasm over words

 

[connorlindeman]

Can't hear sarcasm over words

You can still get the joke though lol

 

[Rocky998]

You can still get the joke though lol

No. Not when it's supposed to be voiced. Like if I said something you didn't understand and you asked: "Wait really, you saw a unicorn?" And I replied: "Yes I saw a unicorn" it's obvious I'm lying there BUT you can't hear the sarcastic voice I am using and if it was a more realistic circumstance like this than yes it can be confusing

 

[connorlindeman]

No. Not when it's supposed to be voiced. Like if I said something you didn't understand and you asked: "Wait really, you saw a unicorn?" And I replied: "Yes I saw a unicorn" it's obvious I'm lying there BUT you can't hear the sarcastic voice I am using and if it was a more realistic circumstance like this than yes it can be confusing

It wasnt really even sarcasm. It was a play on words.

 

[Rocky998]

It wasnt really even sarcasm. It was a play on words.

I know it was a play on words. Still a form of sarcasm in my opinion

 

[connorlindeman]

I know it was a play on words. Still a form of sarcasm in my opinion

i dont think so

 

[Rocky998]

View attachment 165449

i dont think so

I know exactly what it means... I just view it as a form of being sarcastic when it comes to word play

 

[connorlindeman]

I know exactly what it means... I just view it as a form of being sarcastic when it comes to word play

to each their own