Investigating the land hermit crab trade in physical pet shops across three Asian Countries: Implications for conservation management

Abstract

Unsustainable wildlife trade is a significant driver of biodiversity decline. However, invertebrate species often receive less attention in wildlife trade research. The trade of land hermit crabs (Coenobita spp.) remains understudied, despite their potential ecological impacts and conservation implications. This study investigates the trade of land hermit crabs in 159 physical pet shops across Japan, Taiwan, and China, regions identified as key locations in their trade networks. We conducted a snapshot survey from July to September in 2025, coinciding with the peak activity season of land hermit crabs. Our findings reveal that Japan has the highest proportion of pet shops selling land hermit crabs (39.4 %), followed by China (12.5 %) and Taiwan (12.1 %). Price and body size analyses indicate significant differences among countries, with larger individuals and higher prices. The relationship between rarity and price varied across regions, with Japan and Taiwan showing higher prices for rarer species. In contrast, China exhibited the opposite trend, where species with a higher market proportion were priced higher. These findings highlight distinct consumer preferences and trade dynamics among countries. Given the absence of captive breeding for commercial purposes, we emphasize the need for cross-border collaboration in assessing wild populations, strengthening trade regulations, promoting sustainable management, improving captive breeding capacity, and enhancing public awareness. Our study provides critical insights into the current status of the land hermit crab pet trade and offers recommendations for sustainable management strategies.