Plastic. Twelve million tonnes of it end up in the ocean every year.
Each year, it's likely over half a million animals are ensnared and killed by these ghost nets.
But some animals are learning how to take advantage of the plastic rafts,
and use them for shelter or even as a home.
This male Columbus crab,barely bigger than your thumbnail, is a castaway.
Clinging to his net, he may have been drifting on ocean currents for months.
Now fully grown, he needs to find a partner.
Columbus crabs are not good swimmers, so this male is marooned.
Perhaps a passing loggerhead turtle could be the chance to hitch a lift.
Made it. But there is more than one passenger here.
A female Columbus crab.
They waste no time in getting acquainted and start to mate.
This pair may well stay together for the rest of their lives.
A turtle, after all, makes an excellent home.
In return, the crabs provide an onboard grooming service.
The concept of a hitchhiking crab finding love is both charming and amusing. While crabs aren't typically associated with the notion of hitchhiking, some species do exhibit interesting behaviors related to finding mates.
In certain crab species, males may attach themselves to the shells of larger females, effectively hitching a ride. This behavior, known as "carrying," allows the male to stay close to the female and protect her from potential competitors while also increasing his chances of mating with her.
When it comes to finding love, many crab species have elaborate courtship rituals that involve visual displays, tactile interactions, and chemical signals. Mating can be a complex process influenced by factors such as timing, environmental conditions, and competition from other males.
So, while the idea of a hitchhiking crab finding love might be a whimsical one, it's not entirely far-fetched within the realm of crab behavior. It's a reminder that love and romance can be found in unexpected places, even in the world of crustaceans!
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