Hermit crabs using garbage for shells

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68071695

Hermit crabs all over the world, which scavenge shells as armour for their bodies, are turning increasingly to plastic waste instead.

The conclusion is based on analysis of photos, taken by wildlife enthusiasts, and published online.

Scientists said they were "heartbroken" to see the extent to which the animals were living in our rubbish.

They said two-thirds of hermit crabs species were pictured in "artificial shells" - items that humans discarded.

The discovery is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Check out the photos in the link.

@vivify said
Check out the photos in the link.

@drewnogal said
Oh …. that is tragic 😥

@vivify said
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68071695

Hermit crabs all over the world, which scavenge shells as armour for their bodies, are turning increasingly to plastic waste instead.

The conclusion is based on analysis of photos, taken by wildlife enthusiasts, and published online.

Scientists said they were "heartbroken" to see the extent to which t ...[text shortened]... ns discarded.

The discovery is published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

@ponderable said
so one being's grabage is another beings home? For the hermit crabbs it probably doesn't make a difference, but for us it should ashame us how careless we are.

@drewnogal said
There is a lot to be done to undo the damage we could not foresee.
We can all play our part.