Gallery of hermit crabs with garbage shells

The hermit crab housing shortage of empty shells is forcing some crabs to use marine waste, as documented by Okinawa-based photographer Shawn M. Miller.

Miller started documenting Blueberry hermit crabs that he and his friends found. The project often shows the crabs with recognizable local landmarks behind them.

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Says Miller:

It’s becoming more common to find crabs with beach trash homes. I have friends combing local beaches in search of more crabs for my series. While these are cute images, our trash is becoming a serious problem to the ocean and the animals that call the shoreline home. I often find hermit crabs using a variety of plastic caps from twist top pet bottles, laundry detergent containers, small propane tanks, sports water bottles and beauty supplies.

This little guy living in a toothpaste cap shows that the problem is global.

Crabs With Beach Trash Homes – Okinawa, Japan (via PetaPixel)