The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) provides educational resources to help teachers and educators present accurate, ethical information about land hermit crabs in classroom and learning environments.

These resources are designed to reduce preventable harm caused by misinformation, incomplete setups, or outdated care practices, while supporting responsible, age-appropriate learning.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: Before Bringing Hermit Crabs into a Classroom

Land hermit crabs are long-lived animals with complex environmental and welfare needs. Before introducing them into a classroom setting, educators should understand the following:

  • Long-term responsibility
    Land hermit crabs are not short-term or seasonal classroom animals. With proper care, they can live for decades.
  • Hands-off observation
    Hermit crabs should not be handled by students. Learning should be based on observation, not interaction.
  • Habitat and environmental needs
    Proper space, humidity, temperature, and substrate depth are essential for survival and welfare.
  • Nutrition and molting awareness
    Molting is a vulnerable life stage. Disturbance or inadequate nutrition can be fatal.
  • Safe shell access
    Painted or decorative shells cause harm and should never be used.
  • Continuity of care
    Planning for weekends, holidays, and school breaks is essential.
  • Ethical modeling
    Classroom animals are living beings, not teaching tools. Student learning should emphasize responsibility and respect.

Educators seeking material support for qualifying classrooms may review the Claws in the Classroom program. Participation is optional and not required to access educational resources.

Classroom Resources Library

Required Reading for Educators

These resources provide essential context for ethical classroom discussion and decision-making:
Start Here for Teachers
Hermit Crab Care Basics (Classroom Context)
Classroom Discussions & Prompts Activities

Core Care Foundations (LHCOS)

These pages explain minimum standards required for humane care:

  • Care Guides (Care & Education hub)
  • Hermit Crab Shell Standards
  • Hermit Crab Social Housing Standards
  • Hermit Crab Molting & Growth Standards

Nutrition, Habitat & Environment (Crab Street Journal)

Deeper explanations supporting educator understanding:

  • Hermit Crab Nutrition Basics
  • Why Protein Matters
  • Common Feeding Mistakes
  • Habitat Requirements
  • Substrate & Burrowing
  • Humidity & Temperature Control

Classroom-Specific Guidance

Resources focused on school environments:

  • Observation vs. Handling
  • Weekend & Holiday Care Planning
  • Common Classroom Pitfalls

Conservation & Ethics (Optional Enrichment)

For older students or deeper discussion:

  • Where Hermit Crabs Come From
  • Keeping Wild Hermit Crabs Wild

What These Resources Do — and Do Not — Provide

These resources do:

  • Support ethical, welfare-centered education
  • Provide accurate, research-informed guidance
  • Help educators frame responsible decision-making

These resources do not:

  • Place animals in classrooms
  • Provide medical or veterinary advice
  • Replace professional or district-approved instruction

Educators remain responsible for applying guidance appropriately.

Additional Support

Educators who need assistance obtaining basic care supplies may qualify for the Claws in the Classroom program.
Participation is not required to use educational resources.

Classroom Lesson Plans (Crab Street Journal)

Crab Street Journal provides structured, educator-ready lesson plans and classroom activities that support ethical learning about land hermit crabs.

These lesson plans:

  • Complement LHCOS ethical guidance
  • Can be used with or without live animals
  • Support science, ecology, and conservation topics
  • Are appropriate for classroom and informal education settings

Explore Hermit Crab Lesson Plans on Crab Street Journal

Source Transparency & Disclaimer

Educational content may draw from:

  • LHCOS-developed materials
  • Referenced research
  • Crab Street Journal resources
  • Credited community knowledge refined through welfare standards

These materials are provided for general educational purposes and are not intended to replace professional or veterinary guidance.

Questions?

Educators with questions about classroom resources may contact LHCOS through the official Contact page.