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2024-11-11

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submitted 1 year ago by MicroWave to c/science

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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.

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[–] FlyingSquid 24 points 1 year ago (5 children)

That crab is kind of badass...

[–] espentan 8 points 1 year ago

It's now doomed to forever be searching the world's oceans looking for a suitable lamp.

Oh who am I kidding, it'll find a dozen discarded lamps around the next corner..

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

agree. the story is kinda sad but also kinda badass. nature will be just fine when we're gone

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I think it's very enlightened crab!

[–] A_A 3 points 1 year ago

Switch it on and you'll get a Flying_Crab 🤣

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Check out the shell "I did a thing" made for crabs on YT. It's metal af