The Hermit Crab

Can my land hermit crabs live outside of water?

I was shipped 10 baby hermit crabs via postal service. They came completely submerged in water. Are these still land hermit crabs and can they survive outside of the water? Do they need to acclimate in some way before i put them in their crabitat?

OK there are two types of Hermit Crabs The Marine Varieties and the Terrestrial or Land Varieties.

The Marine types live full time under the water in the ocean and in tide pools, they have fully functioning gills and are well know scavengers and the cleaning crew of the sea bed along with starfish, sand dollars, shrimps to name just a few.

The terrestrial or Land Hermit Crab can in fact stay underwater for quite a long period of time. Though they only have modified gills, which require humid and warm air in order to breathe and properly absorb and extract the oxygen out of the air, since they have both water and an air pocket within their shell, they can actually use that air pocket with the water to extract the oxygen out of the water for a small period of time for breathing.
Now this can not be full time nor for too long in captivity because most pet land hermit crab owners do not provide large enough water pools or properly oxygenate the water through pumps.

Hermit Crab Crabitat (20 gallon high)

CRABITAT HERMIT CRAB SAND GLOW 2.2 POUND $2.21 CRABITAT HERMIT CRAB SAND GLOW 2.2 POUND

Land Hermit Crab, Florida, USA $29.99 David Northcott Land Hermit Crab, Florida, USA – Photographic Print

Hermit Crab Cakes 4.23Oz $10.25 Scientifically formulated for optimal growth Hermit Crab Cakes are an excellent staple food for all Land Crabs (Hermit Fiddler Caribbean). This high-protein pelletized food is fortified with vitamins and calcium for proper exoskeleton development. and you can offer your Crab some variety by alternating these Crab Cakes with Tetra Hermit Crab Meal.

Hermit Crab Cakes 1.58Oz $14.85 Hermit crab cake. Scientifically formulated for optimal growth. Hermit crab cakes are an excellent staple food for all land crabs. Powdered high protein food is scientifically formulated for optimal health. Hermit Crab Cake. Desmensions: 0.5″ H x 2″ W x 8″ D.

Hermit Crab’’s Home $7.95 A young land hermit crab spends its days tucked safely inside a seashell until one day it outgrows its shell and must find a new home. Includes facts about hermit crabs and a glossary.