Hermit Crabs Are Increasingly Using Plastic Trash As Homes
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Most crabs have strong exoskeletons to protect them from predators. However, hermit crabs are born with soft bodies. They have usually lived inside sea shells or old snail shells. But, a recent study by Polish scientists has found that the tiny crustaceans are increasingly turning to trash for refuge.
For their research, the team looked at hundreds of images of hermit crabs on social media. They found 386 examples of the crabs living inside artificial shells. Eighty-five percent were using plastic caps, while the rest chose metal or glass trash. This behavior was seen in 10 of the 16 species of land-dwelling hermit crabs, all the way from Africa to Central America.
"We confirm for the first time that the use of artificial materials by hermit crabs is a behavior occurring on a global scale," the researchers said.
The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment on February 25, 2024. It did not explore the potential harm of artificial shells to hermit crabs. However, a 2019 study found that over half a million hermit crabs on a remote Indian Ocean island die every year. They get trapped inside plastic items like bottles.
Researchers are unsure why hermit crabs are choosing artificial shells. But they have several theories. Some believe the crustaceans are struggling to find natural shells and are using whatever else they can find. Others think plastic may be a more attractive option because it is lighter and easier to carry. It may also provide better camouflage in an environment filled with trash.
"When I first saw these pictures, I felt it was heartbreaking," study co-author Marta Szulkin told The BBC. "But at the same time, I think we really need to understand that we're living in a different era, and animals are making use of what's available to them."
Resources: Smithsonian.org, WashingtonPost.com, NPR.org
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49 Comments
vonabelle3 monthsThis is a surprise.
nichola13 monthsThe beaches need to be cleaned, like once a month at least to help the hermit crabs.
myam4103 monthsPeople should not litter it is bad for the.animals
shelbs143 monthsPoor crabs!!The way they are harvested from the wild to be sold in stores as pets is AWFUL.Please don’t take them from the wild.If you do have them keep them in a nice big enclosure and give them lots of love!
summer_beach3 monthsI agree! As someone who had pet hermit crabs, I definatly agree. I didn't know much about them at all when I first got them. I just thought it would be a fun pet, but then me and my sister looked stuff up about them and slowly began to regret it. I really loved them, but I was really sad.
gc000113 monthsPoor crabs, it’s not that hard to keep the beach clean is it?
unikitty1113 monthsI wish people could just keep the beach clean. This is so sad.
jaeinroyce3 monthsso saddd I had a pet hermit before,,,,- dylomyna-1694181969743 monthspoor crabs i really like crabs but if they go extinct i don't want it to be like this
kirkturbos3 monthsIf you look at the picture on the video, where he is carrying that bottle cap, look how sharp those glass edges are!- imarowace113 monthsNooo! The poor thing! Stop littering and save hermit crabs! #savethecrabs!