Food
Omnivore
Hermit crabs eat algae, plants and dead animals.
Eats plants and animals
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter HHermit Crab
Hermit Crab Facts for Kids: H Is for Hermit Crab
Hermit crabs live inside empty shells to protect their soft bodies. When they grow too big, they move into a bigger shell. Here are easy hermit crab facts for kids: what hermit crabs eat, how big they grow, what a baby hermit crab is called and where hermit crabs live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter H.
Crustaceantype
Omnivorediet
Zoeababy name
Fun facts
Fun Facts About Hermit crabs
Two more true facts about the hermit crab that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.
Hh
Say “Hermit Crab”
Hermit Crab starts with the letter H. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.
1
Did you know?
Hermit crabs live in old shells from other animals.
2
One more fact
They move into bigger shells as they grow.
Act it outMove like a hermit crab for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter H in “Hermit Crab”.
Ask a questionWhat would a hermit crab eat for breakfast?
Quick facts
Hermit Crab Facts at a Glance
Everything a curious kid wants to know about the hermit crab, in eight short cards.
Size
How big?
A hermit crab is about 1 to 15 cm long.
Body sizeLife
How long?
Hermit crabs live for up to 30 years.
LifespanBaby
Zoea
A baby hermit crab is called a zoea.
Baby nameGroup
Cast
A group of hermit crabs is called a cast.
Group nameHabitat
Ocean
Hermit crabs are found in beaches and shallow seas worldwide.
Where they liveAnimal type
Crustacean
Hermit crabs live inside empty shells to protect their soft bodies. When they grow too big, they move into a bigger shell.
Hermit Crab is a crustaceanLetter
H is for hermit crab
Hermit Crab has 10 letters and starts with H.
Say: Hermit Crab
Quick quiz
Hermit Crab Quiz for Kids
A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.
Question 1
Score: 0
Free download
Free printable
Hermit Crab Coloring Page: Letter H Worksheet
Done reading about the hermit crab? Print the free letter H sheet, say “H is for hermit crab” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.
1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase HLowercase hTracing practiceFind the H animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Hermit Crab Questions Kids Ask
Hermit crabs eat algae, plants and dead animals. That makes the hermit crab an omnivore, which means it is an animal that eats plants and animals.
A hermit crab is about 1 to 15 cm long.
Hermit crabs live for up to 30 years.
A baby hermit crab is called a zoea.
A group of hermit crabs is called a cast.
Hermit crabs live in beaches and shallow seas worldwide. Their favorite habitat is: ocean.
Yes. The hermit crab is a crustacean. Hermit crabs live inside empty shells to protect their soft bodies. When they grow too big, they move into a bigger shell.
Hermit Crab starts with the letter H. Say it slowly and listen for the H sound at the start.
Keep exploring
All H animals
More Animals Like the Hermit Crab
Other H animals and more crustaceans to read about next.
Mammal
Hippos spend most of the day in rivers and lakes to stay cool. They can hold their breath underwater for about five minutes.
Lives in: Rivers & swamps Read hippopotamus factsMammal
Horses can sleep standing up. A baby horse is called a foal.
Lives in: Farms Read horse factsCrustacean
Yeti crabs live deep in the ocean near warm cracks in the sea floor. Their arms are covered in fuzzy hairs, which is how they got their name.
Lives in: Ocean Read yeti crab factsCrustacean
Krill are tiny shrimp-like animals that swim in huge groups. Many whales, seals and penguins eat them.
Lives in: Ocean Read krill facts