Ethical Hermit Crab Care in Educational Settings
The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) provides free educational resources to help teachers support humane, ethical land hermit crab care in classroom and learning environments.
These resources are intended to reduce preventable harm caused by misinformation, incomplete setups, or outdated care practices, while supporting responsible, age-appropriate learning.
Access to these materials does not require participation in any LHCOS program.
Start Here for Teachers
Before bringing land hermit crabs into a classroom setting, LHCOS recommends reviewing the following:
- Confirm you are prepared for long-term care
Land hermit crabs are not short-term or seasonal classroom animals. They can live for decades with proper care. - Understand that these animals require hands-off observation
Hermit crabs should not be handled by students. Learning should be based on observation, not interaction. - Review basic habitat and environmental needs
Proper space, humidity, temperature, and substrate depth are essential for survival. - Learn the fundamentals of nutrition and molting
Molting is a vulnerable life stage. Disturbance or poor nutrition can be fatal. - Ensure access to safe, appropriate shells
Painted or decorative shells cause harm and should never be used. - Plan for care during weekends, breaks, and holidays
Inconsistent care is a leading cause of classroom animal suffering. - Be prepared to model ethical decision-making
Classroom animals are living beings, not teaching tools. Student learning should emphasize responsibility and respect.
Educators who need assistance obtaining basic care supplies may qualify for support through the Claws in the Classroom program.
Below is a curated, structured resource list you can use on the Classroom Resources page.
It includes LHCOS pages and Crab Street Journal (CSJ) pages, with clear intent labels so teachers know why they’re clicking something.
This list is organized to support safe classroom use first, then optional deeper learning.
Classroom Resources Library
Start Here (Required Reading for Teachers)
These resources provide essential context before bringing or maintaining land hermit crabs in a classroom.
- Start Here for Teachers
Overview of ethical considerations, long-term responsibility, and classroom-specific care realities.
(Internal: Classroom Resources) - Hermit Crab Care Basics (Classroom Context)
Plain-language overview of habitat, nutrition, and observation-based care.
(Internal: Classroom Resources)
Core Care Foundations (LHCOS)
These pages explain the minimum standards required for humane care.
- Care Guides
Foundational education on ethical hermit crab care and welfare.
(LHCOS Care Guides hub) - Hermit Crab Shell Standards
Why shells are essential, what makes a shell safe, and what to avoid.
(LHCOS Care Standards) - Hermit Crab Social Housing Standards
Understanding why hermit crabs are social animals and why isolation causes harm.
(LHCOS Care Standards) - Hermit Crab Molting & Growth Standards
Molting awareness, non-interference rules, and why disturbance is dangerous.
(LHCOS Care Standards)
Nutrition & Feeding (Crab Street Journal)
These resources help teachers understand what to feed and why it matters.
- Hermit Crab Nutrition Basics
Explains protein, minerals, and dietary variety in accessible terms.
(Crab Street Journal) - Why Protein Matters for Hermit Crabs
How protein deficiency leads to failed molts and cannibalism.
(Crab Street Journal) - Common Feeding Mistakes
Addresses pellets, “snack foods,” and incomplete diets common in classrooms.
(Crab Street Journal)
Habitat & Environment (Crab Street Journal)
These resources provide deeper explanation for setup and maintenance.
- Hermit Crab Habitat Requirements
Temperature, humidity, substrate depth, and enclosure needs.
(Crab Street Journal) - Substrate and Burrowing Explained
Why deep substrate is critical for molting and safety.
(Crab Street Journal) - Humidity and Temperature Control
How improper conditions lead to stress and health issues.
(Crab Street Journal)
Shells & Ethics (Crab Street Journal + LHCOS)
Useful for correcting common misconceptions students may encounter.
- Why Painted Shells Are Harmful
Explains the risks of painted and decorative shells.
(Crab Street Journal) - Shell Scarcity and Conservation
Ethical considerations around shell harvesting and environmental impact.
(LHCOS Shells & Housing)
Classroom-Specific Guidance
Resources focused on school environments and student interaction.
- Observation vs Handling
Why hermit crabs should not be handled and how to teach through observation.
(Classroom Resources) - Weekend and Holiday Care Planning
Avoiding lapses in care during school breaks.
(Classroom Resources) - Common Classroom Pitfalls
Mistakes frequently seen in schools and how to avoid them.
(Classroom Resources)
Conservation & Ethics (Optional Enrichment)
For older students or deeper discussion.
- Where Hermit Crabs Come From
Explains wild collection and why ethical care matters.
(Crab Street Journal) - Keeping Wild Hermit Crabs Wild
Conservation-focused framing appropriate for classroom discussion.
(LHCOS / Hermit House–aligned messaging)
Program Support (Optional)
These are support options, not required to use resources.
- Claws in the Classroom
Supply support program for qualifying classrooms.
(LHCOS Program) - Approved Sellers & Approved Rescues
How LHCOS defines ethical sourcing and nonprofit rescue status.
(LHCOS Programs)
Who These Resources Are For
These resources are designed for:
- K–12 classroom teachers
- Homeschool and co-op educators
- Informal learning environments and clubs
- Educators supervising classroom pets
They are appropriate for mixed experience levels and can be adapted for different age groups.
What You’ll Find Here
Classroom-Appropriate Care Guidance
- Basic habitat and environmental needs
- Nutrition fundamentals and feeding routines
- Molting awareness and safety
- Shell needs and common classroom mistakes
All guidance is grounded in animal welfare and long-term health, not novelty or convenience.
Ethical Considerations for Classroom Animals
- Why land hermit crabs are not disposable or short-term pets
- Understanding stress, handling limits, and welfare needs
- Framing animal care as responsibility, not entertainment
- Modeling ethical behavior for students
These principles help students develop empathy and respect for living animals.
Classroom-Friendly Learning Support
- Age-appropriate explanations of hermit crab biology and behavior
- Discussion prompts and observation ideas
- Connections to science, ecology, and conservation topics
- Guidance for addressing common student questions
Resources are designed to complement learning goals without encouraging harmful practices.
Common Classroom Pitfalls
Guidance on avoiding:
- Inadequate habitat size or setup
- Improper diets or reliance on pellets alone
- Painted or unsafe shells
- Overhandling or disturbance during molting
- Treating animals as temporary or replaceable
Preventing these issues is one of the most effective ways to reduce animal suffering in classrooms.
What These Resources Do Not Include
To maintain clarity and ethical boundaries:
- These resources do not place animals in classrooms
- They do not provide medical or veterinary advice
- They do not replace professional consultation
- They do not guarantee outcomes for individual animals
Educators remain responsible for applying guidance appropriately.
Additional Support for Classrooms
Educators who need assistance obtaining basic care supplies may qualify for support through the Claws in the Classroom program.
Participation in Claws in the Classroom is not required to access educational resources.
Source Transparency
Educational content may draw from:
- LHCOS-developed materials
- Referenced educational research
- Crab Street Journal resources
- Credited community knowledge refined through welfare standards
More information about content sourcing and relationships is available on the Sources, Relationships & Disclosures page.
Educational Disclaimer
These materials are provided for general educational purposes. Individual needs may vary by species, environment, and health. LHCOS does not provide individualized medical advice.
Learn More
Related resources:
Questions?
Educators with questions about these resources or classroom care considerations may contact LHCOS through the official Contact page.