MTS4N 434 So Shire – Trading plastic 4 Shells

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Admin11

Meet Brittle Bob, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Brittle Bob made the switch into the donated seashell ” So Shire MTS4N 434 ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!

I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Collection )

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to make the switch 4 nature.

Interview with Kelly Meyer – Hermit Crab Conservation Project, Okinawa

Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Thank you So Shire for your support, You are doing great providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!

No more plastic caps -Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Admin11

Meet Green Tea, A large Blueberry hermit crab found adapting with single-use plastic.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Green tea made the switch into the donated seashell ” No More Plastic Caps ” MTS4N #383.

After I photograph the hermit crab within its new home, I release it back into the wild and keep the plastic cap. Happy crab – Happy Home!

In August I reached out to my friend Martin Bailey and asked him if he wanted to be part of the project: Trading plastic for shells. He agreed and I carved ” No more Plastic caps ” on an MTS4N shell for him.

Martin asked me if I would join him on his podcast to discuss the project. Trading plastic for shells. It was great catching up with him!

If you would like to listen to podcast 753, view some amazing nature photography, or take a nature tour in Mainland Japan check out his website. Martin Bailey Photography

If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!

Carving 4 Nature by Shawn Miller

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Admin11

Wouldn’t you rather see hermit crabs adapting with seashells instead of plastic?

Carving 4 nature is an extension project I have been working on since 2020, combining “Crabs with Beach Trash Homes” and “Trading Plastic 4 Nature.” I offer hermit crabs native seashells instead of plastic. The shells are carefully engraved and numbered using a DREMEL tool. Hopefully labeling the shells will prevent collectors, beachcombers, and or fishermen from taking them in the future.

Carving 4 nature -Using the trusty DREMEL tool

July 15th, I will post a video clip of the hermit crab making the switch from plastic to seashell (#mts4n). I will also pick up eleven pieces of waste off the shoreline for every new Conservationist tier member at MakeTheSwitch4Nature

If you would like to have a family member’s initials engraved on a shell, or a meaningful word engraved, or make a contribution to support my mission please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Trading Plastic 4 Shells – Giving Hermit Crabs a Better Tomorrow!

We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature

Mission: Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations. If you would like to help support my mission, click here – MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands – – – – SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Admin11

How many times have you picked up an empty seashell and brought it home? Most people don’t realize that they are taking a potential mobile home. As hermit crabs grow larger they have to upgrade their mobile home. They are constantly searching for larger seashells. No shells, then the hermits will adapt with plastic twist tops, plugs, and even broken bottles. Over collecting seashells is a contributing factor.

” Trading Plastic for Shells ” Every hermit crab found adapting with trash receives a proper seashell home. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. So far I have a nice collection of plastic.

Shawn Miller - plastic collection — Trading plastic for shells collection

In 2020, Tony Choi ( hermit crab specialist ) recommended that I place empty seashells on the shorelines. He explained that Taiwan has the same issue with over-collecting. Tony sent me the first shell donation and after that more people starting making kind contributions. I engraved numbers on all the shells. Hopefully, this will prevent beachcombers and fishermen from taking the shells.

Carving with the Dremel tool by Shawn Miller

Below is a large land hermit crab ( Coenobita cavipes ) I found using a plastic PVC 90-degree elbow as a protective home. Yomitan Village, Okinawa.

How do I get the crabs to swap? I bring a bucket with an assortment of native shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch on their own. They get a better home and I keep the plastic. #Maketheswitch4nature

The land hermit crab made the switch into a donated tapestry shell (Miller #23). Hermit crabs do not prefer plastic, they are just adapting to what is available.

If you would like to see video footage of the hermit crabs making the switch from plastic to seashell check out MakeTheSwitch4Nature

” Trading plastic for shells ” Before and after examples

Blue Thumbnail
Miller #45
Trumpet player
Miller #51
Jump rope
mts4n #29
Marshmallow
Miller #27

This post is not to make people sad, guilty, or lose hope, It is to bring awareness to the ongoing trash problem in our oceans and on our shorelines. Hopefully, these images will inspire people to change.

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.

Hermit crabs living in plastic tubes by Shawn Miller

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Admin11

One of my favorite things to do is to go beachcombing after typhoons. Over the years, I have seen a significant increase in the amount of marine debris washed ashore. The trash is from all over the world, but the majority of it washes up from Korea, China, and Japan

The resourceful hermit crabs take full advantage of plastic tubes and twist top caps. They move into this valuable real estate and use it as a protective mobile home until they find a better option.

Hermit Crabs prefer to live in a natural seashell. Due to a decline in the number of seashells, the hermit crabs have to adapt with our trash to survive. Below are photographs of hermit crabs found naturally adapting with the plastic tubing.

Lucky was the first hermit crab I photographed adapting with plastic tubing. (2014)

The long plastic tubing slows down their movement. Not the ideal mobile home for a hermit crab.

Sometimes I find them living in clear plastic. Over time the plastic turns yellow and becomes brittle. Eventually, it will break up into microplastic.

Every hermit crab found adapting with our waste receives a new home (seashell). I bring a bucket with an assortment of shells with me on my beach hikes. The hermit crabs are placed in the bucket and make the switch. They get a better home and I keep the plastic.

I was surprised to find this small blueberry hermit crab using a jump rope handle as a mobile home. The crab switched into a tapestry turban shell (mts4n #29) immediately.

The hermit crab is one of the few animals that can successfully adapt with our waste. If you would like to learn more about hermit crabs adapting with our waste please check out my post on “Crabs With Beach Trash Homes” by Shawn M Miller.

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.

Thriving Upside Down by Shawn Miller

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Admin11

Randall’s assessor (Assessor randalli) is a rare fish found living in submarine caves. They are usually seen hovering upside down in small groups. The male guards the eggs by keeping them in his mouth until they hatch (mouthbrooders). A challenging fish to find and photograph. These exotic species are sought after by fish collectors.

* This species is named after Ichthyologist John Ernest Randall.

Scientific name: Assessor randalli
Common name: Randall’s assessor or Randall’s devilfish
Distribution: Japan-Taiwan
Habitat: Submarine caves
Diet: Crabs, shrimp, and fish
Average size: 25-40mm
Color: Dark blue

Can you see the assessor’s hovering upside down?

Why do these fish live upside down?

A way to confuse predators
Evasive stratedy, making it easier to back into crevises
An adaption made for presision swimming among the submarine caves

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Admin11

When I tell people I am a nature photographer, they often ask me if I have ever seen a Yanbaru kuina. Friends are always so excited to tell me that they found a Yanbaru kuina in central Okinawa. I feel bad telling them the bad news. More than likely, they found a common moorhen. The common moorhen is often mistaken for the Yanbaru kuina.

The Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) has a bright red head shield, yellow legs with distinctive white feathers underneath. The Common moorhen is found near marshes, local parks and small rivers. This bird is very common in Okinawa

Scientific name: Gallinula chloropus
Common Name: Common moorhen
Distribution: Okinawan wide
Habitat: City parks, rivers and creeks
Diet: Vegetation and small aquatic animals
Average Size: 30 to 37 cm

The Difference: The Yanbaru kuina ( Okinawa rail ) has an orange beak with bright orange legs. The underneath is black with white bars.

The Yanbaru kuina is a flightless bird found in northern Okinawa. It is a protected species and declared a living natural treasure. It is currently listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species. In 2012 populations of this endemic bird were estimated at 1500 by the Environment Ministry. As of October 2016 populations have declined to 480 mature individuals according to IUCN assessment.

Scientific name: Hypotaenidia okinawae
Common Name: Okinawa Rail
Japanese Name: Yanbaru kuina
Distribution: Northern Okinawa
Habitat: Forests
Diet: Small insects, worms, snails and fruit.
Average Size: 31cm
Threats: Habitat loss, and the threat of mongoose and feral cats.

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Gigantic Hermit Crabs Found On Okinawa

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Admin11

Last year, a friend and I stumbled upon a local beach with gigantic hermit crabs. All of the hermit crabs were found adapting with non-native seashells.

Indonesian hermit crab (Coenbita brevimanus)

Where did these shells come from? The shell shack

The shell shack is an old wooden shed filled with boxes of imported craft shells from the Philippines. The hermit crabs found an opening and took advantage of this real estate.

Polished muffin (Ryssota ovum)

The most abundant shell was the polished muffin (Ryssota ovum) land snail. This shell is native to the Philippines and is twice the size of any land snail on Okinawa. The muffin shell is a perfect mobile home for the land hermit crabs. It’s lightweight, durable and large.

perspective photograph

The hermit crabs were healthy and doing well. I didn’t see any hermit crabs adapting with plastic or any twist top caps.

Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

I also found hermit crabs adapting with a variety of marine shells from the Philippines at the same location.

Babylonia arealata (Coenobita purpureus)

hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita cavipes)

Volema carinifera (Coenobita cavipes)

Melanella candida (Coenobita purpureus)

Casmaria erinaceus (Coenobita purpureus)

hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita purpureus)

Turbo chrysostomus (Coenobita purpureus)

Tonna sulcosa (Coenobita cavipes)

Learn more about hermit crabs and adaptive behavior ” Crabs with beach trash homes ”

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations. – If you would like to join my journey, check out my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

The Most Beautiful Bivalve In The World – Pedum spondyloideum

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Admin11

The Coral scallop (Pedum spondyloideum) is the most beautiful animal I have encountered underwater. The delicate bivalve lives within the hard coral its entire life.

Scientific name: Pedum spondyloideum
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Hard corals in shallow water
Diet: Filter feeders
Average Size: 35mm-55mm

What purpose do they serve in the ecosystem? Researchers believe these beautiful bivalves serve a beneficial function among hard corals.

Provide circulation for feeding coral
Defend the host by expelling water when threatened by corallivorous marine life

The hard coral provides the bivalve with support and protection. The shell is very thin and fragile. Below is a great example of a protected piece of coral with an army of coral scallops.

The crown of thorns starfish is the most devesting predator of the coral. If the coral (host) dies the bivalve will not survive.

The coral scallop is very thin and fragile. The living animal is much more beautiful than the protective shell it produces. These specimens were given to me by a fellow researcher.

I first started photographing these beauties in 2010, below are some of my favorite images taken throughout the Ryukyu Islands.

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Fish Populations Decline At Maeda Point – Not A Good Sign!

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Admin11

I originally got SCUBA certified at Maeda Misaki in 1992. I have seen this popular snorkeling location drastically change over the years with the increase in tourism. Meada point is now a high traffic area, literally thousands of people enter the water on a given weekend.

Maeda misaki diving

If you have ever been to maeda point you have seen the beautiful schools of Teira batfish (Platax teira). In the late 90’s there were massive schools of hundreds of these beautiful fish. Below is an old photograph I found in my photo album. This was a common site back in the 90’s.

Teira batfish at Maeda misaki

In 2017, I noticed that populations started declining.

Schools of batfish

2018-2019, I started seeing numbers decline to less than twenty individuals. July 2019, I went to the same location on three different days and didn’t see any batfish.

Wide angle macro

These fish are a huge tourist attraction. What could have caused the decline of the batfish populations? Possible reasons for decline:

Feeding the batfish man-made products
Noise pollution from an increase in boat traffic
Moved on to a safer location
Overfishing
Contaminates entering the water – sunblock, shampoo, perfume and urine

Fu (wheat gluten)

In the past, guides would feed the fish sausage and bread. In recent years many local companies switched over to Fu (wheat gluten). It’s much cheeper than fish sausage. Kilos of Fu enter the water for fish consumption on a given week at Maeda point. Could this gluten based product be good for the fish? Why you should not feed wild animals:

Interfere’s with their natural diet and feeding cycle
Makes the fish more vulnarable to predators
Reef algae overgrowth due to the fish being full
Increase’s your chance of getting bitten

Sometimes, I see plastic bags filled will remnants of fish food floating on the surface of the water. With the increase in tourism, I am finding more trash left behind at Maeda Point. This is a photograph I took recently at Maeda point. A collector urchin (Tripneustes gratilla) is covering up with discarded sausage wrapper.

collector urchin

This is one of my favorite photographs taken at Maeda Point.

Beautiful bat-fish

Hopefully the teira batfish populations are not a blur left behind.

Fading away

My Mission: To Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for Future Generations

If you would like to help me make a difference Please check out my Patreon Site https://www.patreon.com/MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines. Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Okinawa Nature Photography

沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

Category Archives: Conservation Photography by Shawn Miller

MTS4N 434 So Shire – Trading plastic 4 Shells

No more plastic caps -Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Carving 4 Nature by Shawn Miller

Trading plastic for shells by Shawn Miller

Hermit crabs living in plastic tubes by Shawn Miller

Thriving Upside Down by Shawn Miller

I Finally Found the Yanbaru Kuina

Gigantic Hermit Crabs Found On Okinawa

The Most Beautiful Bivalve In The World – Pedum spondyloideum

Fish Populations Decline At Maeda Point – Not A Good Sign!