Discarded tires endanger hermit crabs

[Catherine]

A researcher in Japan noticed  evidence that hermit crabs were getting trapped in discarded vehicle tires. The situation was studied and it was found to be true. Once hermit crabs enter a tire, they are unable to get out. The shape of the tire traps them. Other ocean garbage, like plastic bottles also trap hermit crabs.
Hermit crabs are a key ocean species. They clean up waste on the shore and  turn over the soil thereby helping plant life to grow. They clean up the seabed. They are also a food source for other animals.  If our garbage reduces their numbers it will have an impact on ocean health. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/29/world/her...index.html

Larger marine animals are being damaged and killed by discarded fishing gear. Smaller sea creatures like hermit crabs are being damaged by discarded tires. All marine life is impacted by the microplastics they ingest. The ocean is in trouble because of our garbage. No piece of garbage is too big or too small to have an impact. It is a big problem and no one person can fix it, but  shore line clean-up efforts do have an impact. They can save the lives of many creatures in the clean-up area. If all of us made small efforts to clean things up where we live, it would have an impact over time. Reducing the plastic and other garbage we use and preventing it from ending up in the ocean would be the best solution. Right now we need to do everything possible to help the hermit crabs and any other part of the environment impacted by our actions. Old tires need to be recycled!