TikTok: HowieTheCrabLaura Porter, the woman behind the viral Howie the Crab TikTok account, has announced that the channel’s namesake has died at the age of nine.
Over the last few years, Howie the Crab gained almost a million followers thanks to constant videos uploaded by her owner, Laura Porter.
One of the many viral videos from Howie details how Laura puts on her leash, and another shows the crab using sign language to communicate.
However, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Porter revealed the crab died at nine years old.
Howie the Crab dies aged 9
The TikToker uploaded a video explaining that Howie had lost a leg and “isn’t acting right,” leaving her and thousands of viewers worried about the crab’s health.
Just a few hours later, Howie’s mom uploaded another video explaining that it may be the last one shared of her while she was alive – and revealed shortly after that Howie had died.
“I am completely broken. I cannot begin to tell you how much she meant to me. Howie passed away peacefully, with dignity, and in comfort. I hope that our message continues to resonate with the world. Crabs are sentient and feel pain,” she said.
“Never boil crabs or any animal alive. Howie was old, and this was the natural end to her extraordinarily long life. Thank you to everyone who reached out, but please know that I am completely overwhelmed.”
TikTok: HowiethecrabShortly after news of the crab’s death broke, fans flocked to the comments to pay their respects. As of writing, the video has 22.4k comments and just over 1 million views.
“Rest in peace sweet Howie. you will be missed and was loved by so many. Howie mom and family my deepest condolences for your loss. May you find peace,” one user commented.
Another said: “You gave her a life no crab could possibly imagine thank you for sharing her with us during her wonderful time alive.”
“I’m so sorry, Laura. You and Howie were one of the first accounts I ever followed and as a fellow Omaha native, I absolutely loved every post you shared,” replied a third.
Howie the crab isn’t the first animal popular on TikTok to die over the years. The pug behind the viral ‘Bones or No Bones’ day trend, Noodle, died back in 2022.
