Our community's beloved summertime tradition of racing hermit crabs on the beach has caught the attention of animal rights activists who want to see the live creatures replaced with mechanical substitutes.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter Wednesday to Mayor Jay Gillian requesting that Ocean City discontinue using live hermit crabs in its yearly competitions, which include both racing events and a beauty contest for the crustaceans. The organization contends these activities support an industry that captures hermit crabs from their natural habitats and confines them in captivity.
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk offered to supply the city with robotic crabs at no cost, suggesting Ocean City could maintain the festive atmosphere while switching to animal-free entertainment options. The group's alternative vision includes competitions with remote-controlled mechanical crabs, relay races where participants mimic crab movements, and a pageant honoring conservation work that protects marine life along our coast.
"Hermit crabs are individuals with their own interests, and in this day and age, we know enough to respect them, rather than scoop them from their ocean homes and use them for our entertainment," Newkirk said in a statement.
According to PETA, hermit crabs can survive more than 40 years in their natural ocean environment but frequently die within weeks or months when kept as pets due to inadequate care. The organization emphasized that these creatures need specific humidity levels, adequate space, and opportunities to interact with other hermit crabs—conditions that the small containers used for pet sales cannot provide.
The animal rights group expressed hope that Ocean City would maintain the celebratory nature of the event while adopting alternatives that don't involve live animals.
The competitions—officially called the Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and Hermit Crab Races—are set to take place August 19 at 6th Street Beach in Ocean City.
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Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
