We can call Hermit Crab as hermit crab. These are not ordinary crabs. Their special thing is that they somehow find shells on the seashore and use them to protect themselves. Now something strange is being seen in their behaviour. They have also started using plastic cans and other waste lying on the beaches for their shells. Such pictures are going viral on social media, in which these crabs are making plastic and metal bottles and cans their homes.
Scientists say this heartbreaking incident shows how animals in our world are being forced to live in the waste we spread. Scientists at Warsaw University analyzed 286 different photographs in which hermit crabs are living in such artificial shells.
The stomach of hermit crabs is very delicate and sensitive. Therefore they use the shells of dead animals around them. So that any outside hunting animal or any other reason cannot harm their stomach. Usually for this they use shells of clams or snails.
Generally, sea crabs adopt the shells of creatures like snails etc. as their shells. (Symbolic photo: Canva)
It is not yet clear whether this kind of behavior is beneficial or harmful for these animals. Professor Marta Julkin says that in these pictures she has identified 386 different crabs which are using plastic caps, parts of broken bottles etc.
According to scientists’ calculations, 10 out of 16 species of hermit crabs living on land in the world are using this type of shells. And this kind of behavior is being seen not in any one part of the earth but in all the tropical areas of the world.
Also read: Look at these ants, they have their own healthcare system, they make antibiotics for themselves.
Scientists have also tried to find out the reason for this new behavior of hermit crabs. According to them, the lack of snail shells on the beaches could be a major reason due to which they have to indulge in such things. Apart from this, the light weight of plastic may also be attracting them.
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Tags: Amazing news, Bizarre news, OMG News, Weird news
FIRST PUBLISHED: January 27, 2024, 15:34 IST
