Hermit Crabs

Hermit Crabs:

Hermit crabs worldwide, known for using scavenged shells as armour, are increasingly turning to plastic waste instead, according to an ecological study using social media photos.

• The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, revealed that two-thirds of hermit crab species were pictured using  artificial shells mainly discarded plastic caps.
• The hermit crab which is IUCN: least concern is a unique crustacean that lacks a hard shell and utilizes old shells, particularly whelk shells, for protection.
• Unlike other crustaceans with a complete exoskeleton, the hermit crab has a soft and squishy back part where its abdomen is located.