Hermit House 501(c)(3)Our mission is simple: Keep Wild Hermit Crabs Wild.
Education
We share practical care knowledge and advocate for ethical treatment of hermit crabs worldwide.
Conservation
We work to end the sale of wild-caught crabs and protect the habitats they rely on.
Captive Breeding
We build dependable breeding programs and support new breeders through mentorship.
New life, new hope
Impact snapshot
Ethical breeding with measurable progress.
5 species raised
- C. clypeatus
- C. compressus
- C. lila
- C. rugosus
- C. variabilis
501(c)(3) nonprofit
Official nonprofit status granted October 12, 2022.
Global community
Mentorship and collaboration connect keepers around the world.
Our approach has seven parts
Focused on ethical breeding, mentorship, education, and conservation.
Breeding & Research
We establish and improve captive-breeding programs for land hermit crabs.
- Reliable breeding systems
- Ethical husbandry standards
- Continuous research and care
Mentorship & Community
We mentor and support aspiring breeders around the world.
- Breeder mentorship program
- Community collaboration
- Global participation
Education & Advocacy
We educate the public on the capture and abuse of wild hermit crabs.
- Ethical pet care resources
- End the sale of wild-caught crabs
- Preserve habitats
Crab Con
We host Crab Con, our annual educational hermit crab conference.
- Workshops and expert talks
- Care and conservation training
- Community gathering
Media & Outreach
Hermit House members, led by founder Mary Akers, work tirelessly to share conservation messaging through interviews, news features, and public discussions focused on ethical care.
Key themes we stand for
- Keep Wild Hermit Crabs Wild
- Conservation-first decisions
- Education before ownership
- Long-term care commitment
- Transparency about breeding challenges
Friends of Hermit House
Partner organizations and allies who support hermit crab welfare.
Hermit House's annual educational conference
Crab Con connects hermit crab enthusiasts worldwide. Talks, workshops, and hands-on sessions help keepers care for hermit crabs responsibly.
Visit CrabCon.org