---
title: Hermit crabs are increasingly using plastic waste as shells
description: Hermit crabs are increasingly using plastic waste as shells
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# Hermit crabs are increasingly using plastic waste as shells

Hermit crabs worldwide are increasingly resorting to plastic waste as shell replacements, as observed through online photos. Around two-thirds of hermit crab species were found using discarded items such as plastic caps instead of natural shells. While the impact of this behaviour on the crustaceans remains unclear, researchers highlight the need to understand their interactions with plastic and its potential evolutionary implications. With natural shell availability declining, plastic may offer a readily available alternative, posing questions about its role in their survival and adaptation. This phenomenon underscores the pervasive presence of plastic pollution in marine ecosystems and the urgent need for global action to address it. ([BBC)](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68071695)

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