![]() ![]() These observations, though not conclusive, show that hermit crabs can conduct trade-offs. ![]() Also, after abandoning the shells, some crabs would go back and examine them to see if there was a source of the disturbance. What Elwood noticed was that crabs with better shells would sustain more shocks before they left their shell, compared to ones with bad shells. #SPONGEBOB EPISODES SERIES#The crabs would receive a series of electric shocks and observe for when they abandoned their shell (the shock was never enough to kill them or permanently damage them). Half had shells in good condition and the rest were in bad condition. The study conducted had two types of crabs to test on. What Animal Behavior Professor Robert Elwood seeked out, was what would it take for a hermit crab to abandon its shell, given it is its most prized possession. So, without a sturdy shell, they are goners, as they either boil alive from the heat or get preyed on by some shorebird. Hermit crabs depend on their shells for protection, this fascinating short video by David Attenborough I think explains it the best. I mention this is because in one of the chapters he describes experiments that were done on hermit crabs that make a strong case supporting that crustaceans feeling pain. It is not all science however, there are some stories about his diving trips around Australia. I would recommend this book as it goes through theories around how consciousness evolved in aquatic animals. I first heard about these concepts in the book Metazoa by philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith. It’s hard to be a hermit crab Image from Wikimedia These behaviors include: protecting and caring for injuries, learning from harmful past experiences and if they look for substances that alleviate pain. So, what researchers look for when determining if an organism feels pain, is other behaviors, rather than if they flinch. The actual feeling comes after nociception, wherein the individual becomes aware and interprets the actual pain. When an organism is negatively stimulated in some way, say damage to tissue or a sudden rise in temperature, they will react to it. ![]() Pain vs Nociceptionĭefining pain is difficult enough, but scientists usually draw a line between nociception and pain – bear with me here. This question is too complicated to cover in a blog, but I would like to take you on a deep dive on whether or not crustaceans feel pain. Now you may ask, can Mr Krabs, or any crustacean for that matter, feel anything? The iconic duo’s idea of a ‘night out’ doesn’t really do much for Mr Krabs, as he can’t feel anything whilst partaking in their questionable antics. Mr Krabs, in an attempt to feel young again, decides to spend a night with the ‘youth’, in this case, SpongeBob and Patrick. You may be familiar with this iconic clip from an episode of Spongebob Squarepants called “ Mid-Life Crustacean ”. ![]()
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