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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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[–] 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..