True story:

I once had hermit crabs as a kid.

I was equipped with all the knowledge of a grade schooler...and all the lack of mindfulness.

When I bought the crabs, they came with care instructions, including tips on how to hold them.

But somehow I neglected to follow those instructions and ended up with a frightened hermit crab attached to my then extremely uncomfortable hand flesh.

Allow me to provide some advice and prevent you from the same fate with your crabs.

Here’s how to hold a hermit crab THE RIGHT WAY so you don’t get pinched...

Don’t pick them up every day

First of all, hermit crabs do not particularly like being handled.

They are not the kind of pet you take out to cuddle. Sorry if that’s what you were looking for.

Like many other exotic pets, these crabs tend to get stressed out when they’re handled too often. And stressed pets become sick pets.

You can kind of think of hermit crabs like tarantulas. In fact, they have quite a few similarities:

• They’re both arthropods;
• They shed an exterior layer for a new one (shell vs. exoskeleton);
• They can both cause you pain when you handle them.

The nice thing about hermit crabs is that if you do get pinched, it’s less likely to break skin and lead to an infection than a tarantula bite. It’s the little things we appreciate about our pets, right?

Make sure they are out of their shell

A hermit crab that is out of its shell is a comfortable crab. Once your crab gets to used to you, it will likely start coming out of its shell more often.

“How to Handle a Hermit Crab” by Animal Lover

But a crab in its shell is not in the mood for being interacted with.

If your crab is just resting, you can try picking it up by the shell and seeing if it wants to come out.

Start at the back

Pick up your crab by the back of its shell, where its legs and claws can’t reach you.

If you’re really scared of getting pinched, this is probably the place to stop for you. Gently put your crab back down wherever you need to relocate it.

If you want to bond with your pet crab, move on to the next step...

Make yourself difficult to pinch

Only try holding your crab on the palm of your hand if the animal is out of the shell, active, and appears unstressed.

Putting an in-shell crab on your hand may startle it, motivating the animal to reach out and feel around for something to pinch in order to protect itself.

(Trust me; that’s exactly how I ended up with a crab attached to my hand.)

Once the crab is out, hold your hand flat with the fingers together. This pulls your skin tight and reduces the pinchable areas.

“How to Handle a Hermit Crab” by Animal Lover

Now, let your crab walk around on your flat hands. You can even put your hands one in front of the other to create a kind of crab treadmill.

Keep your hands close to a table in case the crab falls off.

Consider wearing gloves

If your crab is a pincher, or you’re really scared of the idea of how pinching might feel, you can put on some thick gloves for skin protection.

Do you have more tips on handling hermit crabs? What are your tricks for preventing pinching? Share them with us on Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I hold a hermit crab without getting pinched?

Let the crab walk onto your open palm voluntarily rather than grabbing it. Keep your hand flat and steady; sudden movements trigger defensive pinching. Avoid picking up a crab that has retreated into its shell, as it is likely scared. Once comfortable, most hermit crabs will walk across your hands without pinching.

Does it hurt when a hermit crab pinches you?

Small hermit crabs produce a mild pinch that is startling but not very painful. Larger crabs can pinch hard enough to draw blood. If pinched, resist the urge to shake the crab off (this can injure it). Instead, gently run warm water over the claw or hold the crab over its enclosure and wait for it to release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hermit crabs always pinch when you hold them?

No. Hermit crabs pinch primarily out of fear or to maintain balance. Once a crab is comfortable with you (through regular, gentle handling), pinching becomes rare. Keep your hand flat and stable so the crab feels secure. Sudden movements or tilting your hand are the most common triggers for defensive pinching.

How do you get a hermit crab used to being handled?

Start with short, gentle sessions of 5-10 minutes. Let the crab walk across your flat, still hands. Avoid gripping or squeezing. Handle at the same time each day so the crab learns the routine. Over time, most hermit crabs become comfortable with their owner and walk calmly across hands and arms.