How long do hermit crabs live?

Hermit crabs kept as pets can easily live for over 10 years if cared for properly. One crab owner, Carol Ormes of Ft. Myers, Florida, kept a pair of crabs that lived to be over 30 years old.

Hermit crabs have only a few simple needs to live a long life. First, they require enough sand or coconut fiber bedding in their habitats to bury themselves completely. Since they are tropical creatures, a warm and humid environment is a must. They need places to hide and things to climb in their enclosures. They need a choice of empty, larger shells as they grow. Finally, it is necessary that they have ready access to a dish of clean, chlorine-free water and, like most animals, need regular feeding.