Category Archives: Hermit crabs of Okinawa

Earth Day 2022 Invest In Our Planet

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As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things to make a difference but its’ not enough. We must all work together worldwide to make a positive impact.

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 

The Earth Day 2022 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge

  • Place twenty-two #mts4n shells in the coastal forest
  • Pick up twenty-two pieces of beach trash
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Earthday.org
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Oceanconservancy.org
  • Go on a nature walk for twenty-two minutes
  • Twenty-two-hour intermittent fasting challenge

These are the twenty-two #mts4n shells that will be placed in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.

I recommend participating in a beach cleanup. Get outdoors for some nature therapy!

Not all marine debris washes ashore. It’s important to participate in underwater cleanups as well.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2022. Have an awesome day!

If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

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

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission.

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

I found a MTS4N seashell on Okinawa. What should I do?

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So far, I have placed over seven hundred marked turbo seashells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. The shells are marked and numbered with the hashtag #mts4n ( Make The Switch For Nature ). Hopefully, labeling the surface of the seashells will prevent poachers, beachcombers, and anglers from taking them.

Hermit crabs are a national living monument species of Japan. Collecting them is against the law. Take photos only!

What to do if you find a #MTS4N or #MILLER shell:

  • Take a photograph of the Hermit crab in its natural habitat
  • Enjoy the moment and do not harass it
  • Share on social media and tag #mts4n
  • These occupied shells are not collectibles; do not take them

The Mission of the Make the Switch 4 Nature (MTS4N) Hermit Crab Conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives

What to do if you find a hermit crab adapting with plastic

  • Take a photograph of the hermit crab in its original habitat
  • Leave the hermit crab alone and do not harass it
  • Send me a DM with the exact beach location
  • I will place empty shells in the coastal forest for the hermit crabs
Hermit crabs living in our trash

Have you ever taken an empty seashell from the beach? I am guilty. Most people don’t realize that they are taking the potential home of a hermit crab.

Did you know that hermit crabs are not born with shells?
As hermit crabs grow, they depend on various empty shells as their homes. Hermit crabs do not make their own shells; instead, they use discarded shells from marine snails that wash ashore. They also adapt by using land snail shells found in the coastal forest. If you are a shell collector, please return all unwanted shells to the coastline. #taketrashnothomes

It’s crucial to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations. Hermit crabs play an essential role in the coastal ecosystem. Hermit crabs do not belong in cages; please leave them in their natural habitat.

2024 has been a busy year for hermit crab poaching. In April and May, we found many traps in the coastal forest. If you see any suspicious activity, please call the local police.

Hermit crabs do not belong in a cage. Let’s keep wild crabs wild.


Please help me make a difference by supporting the #MST4N Hermit Crab Conservation Project. Please check out my Patreon page, MakeTheSwitch4Nature. I will collect a bucket full of marine debris for every supporting member. Our waste is a massive problem on our beautiful shorelines.

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? If so, consider giving them back to nature. #taktrashnothomes

  • The Mission of the #MTS4N conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives.

Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.

Interview On the Kelly Clarkson Show
Making the switch 4 nature
Featured On AFN Okinawa


MTS4N 393 To Eat Flowers -Trading Plastic 4 Shells

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Meet Fragile Francis, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic cap.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Fragile Francis made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 393 To Eat Flowers ”

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 106 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells 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.

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

Thank you Hannah Reyes for your support and carving suggestion, Check out her stunning photography on Instagram.

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

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

Have an Awesome day! Shawn Miller

Carving 4 Nature by Shawn Miller

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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

Take trash not homes

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!


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 for Nature 

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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

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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.

Take trash not crab homes

” 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
Trading plastic for shells

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

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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.

Make the switch for nature

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.

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 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.

Gigantic Hermit Crabs Found On Okinawa

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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)

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.

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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.

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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.

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Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

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Land hermit crab (Coenobita cavipes)

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

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Babylonia arealata (Coenobita purpureus)

hermit crab

hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita cavipes)

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Volema carinifera (Coenobita cavipes)

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Melanella candida (Coenobita purpureus)

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Casmaria erinaceus (Coenobita purpureus)

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hexaplex cichoreum (Coenobita purpureus)

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Turbo chrysostomus (Coenobita purpureus)

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Tonna sulcosa (Coenobita cavipes)

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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