SnO2 composite materials infiltrated into the hollow carbon channels of a crab-shell biotemplate were hydrothermally synthesized and utilized as anodes for lithium-ion batteries. Varying the reaction temperatures and times of the hydrothermal reaction yielded different SnO2 nanoparticle shapes, characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The materials prepared at 100 °C (sample S100) were spherical, amorphous in nature, and successfully infiltrated into the hollow carbon channels, while those prepared at 180 °C (sample S180) yielded many rod-like particles on the outer surfaces of the channels. The S100 electrode exhibited better cyclability, corresponding to a capacity of 298 mAh g-1 at 100 cycles, and high rate capability with a capacity retention of 54% at 3 A g-1. The enhanced electrochemical performance of S100 could be attributed to the configuration of the SnO2 particles infiltrating the carbon-coated hollow channels, which accommodated large volume changes during (de)lithiation.