Episode 41: Pets as Souvenirs – the Horrifying Hermit Crab Pet Trade

Many tourists, especially children, come home with a hermit crab with a fun, painted shell as a souvenir from their beach vacation. However, the way these crabs get to these boardwalks, pet stores, and carnivals is a cruel and unsustainable practice.

Hermit crabs require more specialized care than most people realize, and these destinations do not provide accurate care information. In addition, poaching crabs from the wild is having an effect not only on their populations, but on local ecosystems as well.

* images are not my own

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