science

14786 readers

84 users here now

A community to post scientific articles, news, and civil discussion.

rule #1: be kind

<--- rules currently under construction, see current pinned post.

2024-11-11

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

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

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] 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