During a recent evening exploration of southern Okinawa, we stumbled upon a large cluster of terrestrial hermit crabs heavily infested with hitchhiking mites; this was the first time we had witnessed such an infestation on wild hermit crabs.
This is an example of phoresy, a biological interaction where one organism uses another for transportation. These mites possibly function as symbiotic cleaners, feeding on debris, fungi and algae.
Take a closer look! You can see tiny mites clustered along the gastropod’s siphon canal, suture line, ridges, and sharp spines.
We’ve been to this location three times and still haven’t seen a hermit crab living in plastic. The reason is simple: the coastline still has plenty of empty, natural shells available.
If you are a beachcomber, please consider leaving some shells for the hermit crabs. Hermit crabs are not born with shells. They depend on discarded seashells for survival. ” No Shell No Life “
It is illegal to collect hermit crabs from the wild on Okinawa. All terrestrial hermit crabs of the Ryukyu Islands are a living national treasure of Japan.
Mission: Protect and preserve the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands fro future generations.
Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
