Post by Angela on Jan 24, 2010 22:43:01 GMT -5
Surely it'd be much easier to go to Petsmart right now and purchase hermit crabs, right? Well, that choice may be the easiest for us humans, but is not in the best interest in the hermit crabs' well-being.
The obvious problem is where these hermit crabs come from-- the wild. They are kidnapped from beaches and sold as slaves for our own entertainment. They belong in the wild; it is where they thrive best. Hermit crabs rarely ever live for ten years in captivity, but did you know that they can live for up to seventy-five in the wild? Hermit crabs are easily stressed in captivity; the smallest drop in temperature can send them into stress-mode, which often results in death. By purchasing hermit crabs from a pet store, you are supporting the supply and demand for them, which also supports the kidnapping of these beautiful creatures from their home.
Unfortunately for many, they have already become captive, and most of their care-givers are unable to return them to their natural homes. Many also have no idea where their natural homes are or how to release them; releasing them into the wild may cause more harm than good. This is why we must educate others of the proper care of hermit crabs and also adopt those who are in the hands of people unwilling to care for their hermit crabs properly.
Another problem with purchasing hermit crabs is how much cruelty they must endure. In fact, before they even reach the store, they must endure a long journey to the supplier and then to the pet store. They are often not housed well for this lengthy journey, and many end up dying from the stress and hardships they face.
You may not also realize that by buying these hermit crabs, you are supporting the supply and demand, which means that more people who have no idea how to care for them will purchase and kill them. Some of these people are too lazy to research on the care of the hermit crabs, while others decide just to ask workers at the pet store they purchase from, who are often very misinformed about hermit crabs, whether it be because they aren't trained to care for the hermit crabs or because the care information they receive from their training is completely inaccurate.
There are also many hermit crabs out there who need homes, believe it or not, even though they are rarely ever taken to or accepted by shelters. People often just dump hermit crabs on their animal-loving best friends or even just leave them to die. These people need to know there are people out there who are educated on hermit crab care who are more than willing to accept their unwanted hermit crabs. There are also those who have no idea who to re-home their crabs with.
The obvious problem is where these hermit crabs come from-- the wild. They are kidnapped from beaches and sold as slaves for our own entertainment. They belong in the wild; it is where they thrive best. Hermit crabs rarely ever live for ten years in captivity, but did you know that they can live for up to seventy-five in the wild? Hermit crabs are easily stressed in captivity; the smallest drop in temperature can send them into stress-mode, which often results in death. By purchasing hermit crabs from a pet store, you are supporting the supply and demand for them, which also supports the kidnapping of these beautiful creatures from their home.
Unfortunately for many, they have already become captive, and most of their care-givers are unable to return them to their natural homes. Many also have no idea where their natural homes are or how to release them; releasing them into the wild may cause more harm than good. This is why we must educate others of the proper care of hermit crabs and also adopt those who are in the hands of people unwilling to care for their hermit crabs properly.
Another problem with purchasing hermit crabs is how much cruelty they must endure. In fact, before they even reach the store, they must endure a long journey to the supplier and then to the pet store. They are often not housed well for this lengthy journey, and many end up dying from the stress and hardships they face.
You may not also realize that by buying these hermit crabs, you are supporting the supply and demand, which means that more people who have no idea how to care for them will purchase and kill them. Some of these people are too lazy to research on the care of the hermit crabs, while others decide just to ask workers at the pet store they purchase from, who are often very misinformed about hermit crabs, whether it be because they aren't trained to care for the hermit crabs or because the care information they receive from their training is completely inaccurate.
There are also many hermit crabs out there who need homes, believe it or not, even though they are rarely ever taken to or accepted by shelters. People often just dump hermit crabs on their animal-loving best friends or even just leave them to die. These people need to know there are people out there who are educated on hermit crab care who are more than willing to accept their unwanted hermit crabs. There are also those who have no idea who to re-home their crabs with.