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Trash such as pellets, plastics and microplastics is flooding beaches around the world. Amazingly, hermit crabs have adapted to use things like bottle caps, light bulbs, and plastic cups as shells.Recent research published in Total environmental science This behavior can be observed globally, with most terrestrial hermit crab species found to use trash as a shell.
Polish biologists conducted a study analyzing scientific literature and online videos and found 386 crustaceans wrapped in trash. These videos feature his specimens of 10 of the 16 hermit crab species found around the world, spanning tropical regions from Africa to Central America. Interestingly, 85% of his designs utilized scrap plastic, while the rest used alternative materials such as metal and glass. “We have just confirmed that hermit crabs around the world are using artificial materials,” said biologist Zussanna Jagiello, lead author of the study.
The researchers found that crabs prefer debris to shells because they are easier to spot along the coast and provide better camouflage. They also analyzed factors such as odor, body weight, and sexual signaling. It takes more energy to carry the heavier natural shells, but the color and smell of the plastic can help attract a mate. A study conducted in 2021 found that crabs are attracted to chemicals released from plastic.
However, there is a flipside to this story. In 2019, scientists discovered 414 million pieces of trash washed up on the shores of Australia’s remote Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. They analyzed the impact of this waste on hermit crabs in the region and found that more than 500,000 crabs died after becoming trapped in the man-made structures in which they lived.
The effects of replacing natural shells with plastic shells are unclear, but researchers have tested turtles with straws stuck in their noses and sperm whales living with pounds of trash in their stomachs. I believe that this could lead to dangerous consequences. Jagiello says it’s heartbreaking to see these creatures living in trash, but admits they’re simply adapting to their environment.
hermit crab intelligence
Searching for a home is not an easy task. Hermits lead lives filled with difficult decisions that require advanced cognitive abilities. Research on hermit crab brains is still in its infancy, but early studies have identified differences from other crabs. Notably, their spatial awareness and exploration abilities are more developed. A strong memory allows you to remember the characteristics of seashells, which saves you time and energy in the long run.
Unlike most crabs, hermit crabs are born with soft bodies rather than naturally calcified abdomens. They live inside their shells to protect themselves from predators, water currents (in the case of sea crabs), and desiccation (in the case of land crabs). Choosing the best shell for your hermit crab is very important, but how do you do it? First, visually assess the shell and gather information about its type, size, and color. Then use your feet and scissors to explore inside and out to make sure it’s the right size. As they grow, they discard their shells and look for larger shells to molt.
Hermit crabs also have exchange chains. If you find a shell that is too large, store it nearby for another crab to use. Waiting crabs are placed by size as larger shells become available. Once the first crab makes the switch, a chain of exchanges occurs and everyone gets a better shell. Crabs anticipate the need for new shells and organize to facilitate movement. Research has confirmed that they have the ability to remember shells they have previously inhabited or examined.
Photographer Sean Miller contributed to the research by taking images of crustaceans using the debris as shells. One of his videos shows a crab moving from a piece of plastic to a natural shell. Miller says hermit crabs aren’t choosing to live permanently in plastic. Use only temporarily until a more suitable natural shell is found.
While the availability of natural shells is decreasing, the amount of discarded plastic continues to increase. Molluscs use seawater calcium carbonate to build their own shells, but their numbers are decreasing due to fishing pressure, rising sea temperatures, and water pollution. Greenpeace estimates that plastic production soared 900% between 1980 and 2020, to over 500 million tonnes per year. Many plastics end up in landfills instead of being recycled. Perhaps a photo of a hermit crab living in trash can teach us a lesson about reusing plastic instead of throwing it away.
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