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2024-11-11

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submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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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@lemmy.world 24 points 9 months ago (5 children)

That crab is kind of badass...

[–] espentan@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months 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..

[–] fogstormberry@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 9 months ago

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

[–] ClassyHatter@sopuli.xyz 4 points 9 months ago

I think it's very enlightened crab!

[–] A_A@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Switch it on and you'll get a Flying_Crab 🤣

[–] Scubus@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months ago

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