Crabs All the Way Down | Radiolab

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab titled “Crabs All the Way Down,” the hosts explore the fascinating world of hermit crabs and their unique abilities to adapt and survive. They delve into the story of Mary Akers, an artist who became passionate about caring for hermit crabs and successfully bred and adopted out over 700 of them. Additionally, they discuss the evolutionary history and remarkable characteristics of crabs, shedding light on their resilience and potential for further adaptation.

Main Takeaways

Hermit Crab Care and Breeding

• Hermit crabs are often taken from the wild and sold as souvenirs, but no one has figured out how to mass breed them in captivity.
• Mary Akers, an artist, discovered hermit crabs as a hobby and learned how to care for them properly.
• Hermit crabs can live for decades if cared for properly, but are often treated as throwaway pets.
• Mary’s love for hermit crabs led her to create a Krabbitat in her daughter’s old bedroom.
• Mary named each crab and learned their personalities.
• She created a laboratory to deliver thousands of baby crabs into Krab Hood.
• Mary struggled with the crab’s needs and wanted to give them everything.
• Mary learned to let go and be the ocean, which led to the successful growth of baby crabs.
• Mary successfully bred and adopted out over 700 hermit crabs with tender loving care.
• Mary’s ability to be the ocean was the key to her success in breeding the crabs.

The Evolutionary Wonder of Crabs

• Crabs have evolved five separate times from creatures that are not crabs.
• The crab form has evolved on five completely different branches.
• The body shape of a crab is a pancake with ten legs, two of which have pinchers.
• Shrimp, lobster, and other crustaceans are evolving into similar forms.
• The crab’s shape helped it survive a mass extinction event 100 million years ago.
• The crab’s body shape allows it to adapt and survive in various environments.
• Crabs have gill-like structures that allow them to breathe in both air and water, making them adaptable to various underwater environments and even able to live on land.
• The crab’s body plan keeps evolving because it is particularly good at change, upheaval, and chaos, giving them an edge in the world we humans are making for all of us.

The Future of Crabs and Humans

• Crabs might start becoming more creative and using things, playing with sticks, and could become the next humans.
• If we keep the world as we are going, we are more likely to become obsolete, while crabs will keep surviving.

Summary

Hermit Crab Care and Breeding

Hermit crabs, often taken from the wild and sold as souvenirs, have proven difficult to mass breed in captivity. However, Mary Akers, an artist, became passionate about caring for hermit crabs and successfully bred and adopted out over 700 of them. Mary’s love for hermit crabs led her to create a dedicated space called Krabbitat, where she named each crab and learned their personalities. She struggled initially with meeting the crabs’ complex needs but eventually learned to let go and be the ocean, creating the ideal conditions for successful breeding.

The Evolutionary Wonder of Crabs

Crabs have evolved independently five times from non-crab ancestors, showcasing their unique adaptability. Their pancake-like body shape with ten legs, including pinchers, has allowed them to survive mass extinction events and thrive in various environments. Crabs possess gill-like structures that enable them to breathe in both air and water, making them highly adaptable to different underwater and terrestrial habitats. Their ability to embrace change, upheaval, and chaos has given them an evolutionary advantage in the rapidly changing world.

The Future of Crabs and Humans

The hosts speculate on the future of crabs, suggesting that they might exhibit more creative behaviors and even become the next dominant species. Meanwhile, humans face the risk of becoming obsolete if we fail to address the environmental challenges we currently face. The resilience and adaptability of crabs serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing change and upheaval to ensure our survival.

Conclusion

The podcast episode “Crabs All the Way Down” explores the captivating world of hermit crabs and their evolutionary wonder. Mary Akers’ dedication to caring for hermit crabs and her successful breeding efforts highlight the importance of providing proper care and attention to these often overlooked creatures. The remarkable adaptability and resilience of crabs serve as a reminder of the need to embrace change and chaos in our rapidly evolving world. As we continue to navigate environmental challenges, the lessons from crabs can inspire us to find innovative solutions and ensure our own survival.