Many different species of land hermit crabs live in tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific region, the western Atlantic and the western Caribbean. Land hermit crabs live close to the shoreline and must have access to both land and water.

What is the natural habitat of hermit crabs?

Habitat of the Hermit Crab

Land dwelling hermit crabs live in tropical environments. They require frequent access to fresh or salt water, as a way to dampen their gills. Without access to water, they cannot reproduce or even survive long periods. Marine hermit crabs spend their lifetimes under the sea.

What do hermit crabs live in?

These crabs spend most of their lives underwater as aquatic animals, living in depths of saltwater that range from shallow reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms, rarely leaving the water for land. As pets, several marine species of hermit crabs are common in the marine aquarium trade.