Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: BBC
Context: 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.
About Hermit Crabs:
The hermit crab (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.
