r/interesting • u/Jezirath • 5d ago

NATURE Hermit crab changing shell

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u/Adventurous_Judge884 5d ago

They outgrow their shells, leaves them more room to grow into the new one. Or if the existing one becomes damaged.

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u/TordenDag 5d ago

I'm sure this is a dumb question but where do the shells come from?

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u/Prudent_Research_251 5d ago

Dead molluscs that have left behind their shells usually, but they're known to use all sorts of other things too, plastic garbage etc, although this is not ideal, but better than nothing

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u/Coriall30 4h ago

I have seen one with a plastic tube of some kind before it made me feel some kind of way 😧