It Will Get Better Mts4n #412 – Trading plastic 4 Shells

Meet Mustard, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded marker cap.

A friend called to inform me she found a hermit crab ( mustard ) adapting with plastic. I grabbed some empty shells, the #mts4n bucket and drove down to a local beach in Yomitan village. We placed Mustard into the bucket and within fifteen minutes he made the switch.

Mustard made the switch into donated shell ” MTS4N #412 It will get better ” which is part of the positive carving series.

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

I keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells.

hermit crabs plastic cap 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

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 a great day! Shawn Miller

Carving 4 Nature by Shawn Miller


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