Scientists have discovered that hermit crabs are becoming “sexually excited” by toxins released from plastic waste in the world’s oceans. Researchers at the University of Hull in the UK uncovered the bizarre phenomenon by studying the waters off the North Yorkshire coast, identifying a chemical called oleamide as the culprit.
- The chemical is increasing hermit crab respiration rate. Researchers say that the hermit crab population in Robin Hood’s Bay are experiencing an increased respiration rate caused by the oleamide leaking from the waste, Sky News reports. PhD candidate Paula Schirrmacher, one of the authors of the study, said: “Respiration rate increases significantly in response to low concentrations of oleamide, and hermit crabs show a behavioural attraction comparable to their response to a feeding stimulant.”
- This is just one way climate change and environmental pollution are changing our world. Plastic pollution is having an incredible affect on our wildlife, including our marine species, and the hermit crab finding is just one example of this. If this isn’t a sign that something needs to change, what is?
- Oleamide is affecting the crabs in other ways too. In addition to making them more sexually excited, oleamide is also being mistaken for food by hermit crabs, encouraging them to travel to seek it out. Of course, when they reach the source, they suddenly realize there’s nothing edible there. “Oleamide also has a striking resemblance to oleic acid, a chemical released by arthropods during decomposition. As scavengers, hermit crabs may misidentify oleamide as a food source, creating a trap,” Schirrmacher continued.
- What we’re doing to our planet matters. Destroying the planet doesn’t just have an affect on human beings, it affects our land and water as well as the creatures that inhabit it. We need to take drastic action to avoid any further destruction.