Hermit crabs are increasingly using garbage as a “house” (7 photos + 1 video)

Hermit crabs are increasingly using coastal debris instead of shells: plastic, metal bottle caps and broken light bulbs. Scientists call the situation "heartbreaking." This is truly sad to watch.





Experts from the University of Warsaw, Poland, analyzed photographs from the Internet and recorded 386 individuals of hermit crabs using “artificial shells.” Basically, instead of shells, crayfish use plastic and metal lids, bottle necks and parts of light bulbs. As experts have determined, 10 out of 16 species of land hermit crabs in the world use various objects as their “house”.



This behavior of crayfish is observed in all tropical regions of the planet. Researchers cite several reasons for this behavior, including a shortage of shells and the light weight of plastic, making it easier to carry on the body than a shell. So far, scientists have not established whether this causes serious harm to crayfish and whether it affects their evolution.

"When I first saw these photographs, I thought it was heartbreaking. At the same time, you need to understand that we live in an era where animals use everything that is available to them," said Professor Marta Shulkin in an interview with the BBC.





According to a recent study, there are currently at least 171 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans. Experts warn that the number could almost triple by 2040 if action is not taken.