Bottle caps and faucets as shells: Giving green island hermit crabs a "real home"
▲ A hermit crab with a laundry detergent bottle cap, because it couldn't find a proper home. (Photo / from Lu Jinyu's Facebook)
Reported by Chen Ziying, Green Island
Have you ever seen a hermit crab carrying a bizarre "shell"? Don’t assume this hermit crab is particularly trendy — it’s actually human carelessness that leaves them unable to find suitable homes, forcing them to carry one unsuitable shelter after another.
In recent years, Green Island has seen rapid growth in tourism. Having studied the local ecology for many years,Lu Jinyu, nicknamed “Piggy,” once posted a photo titled “Thanks for Making Way” to speak up about the issue of land crabs being run over.He said, “Green Island has a population of just over a thousand residents but more than three thousand motorcycles. It might sound a bit funny to outsiders, but for local ecological conservation, it’s a heavy concern and harm.”
The most common species of hermit crab on Green Island is the Ocypode ceratophthalmus. Lu Jinyu, who picked up some crabs crossing the road, used the opportunity to educate tourists: the deafening sounds of speeding scooters, the countless crabs crushed under wheels, and the shattered "crab shelters." Years of neglect have left these hermit crabs without proper shells to live in.On the island, you’ll see bottle cap crabs, plastic bottle crabs, even faucet knob crabs, light bulb crabs, and Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor bottle cap crabs — all results of human damage to the ecological environment, leaving these crabs "homeless" and forced to make do with ill-fitting, oddly shaped shells.
%In response to the online outcry, an activity was initiated, hoping to solve the problem through reporting and raising awareness. (#From our reporter Chen Ziying, Green Island)
To address this, Taitung County Government, together with local ecological researchers on Green Island, launched a series of eco-friendly, low-carbon tours in autumn, one of which is called “Thanks for Your Love for Hermit Crabs.” Participants on the Green Island eco-tour, led by experts, will carve numbers onto collected fighting conch shells and distribute them to tourists. These marked shells are then placed in areas where hermit crabs are frequently seen. The next day, tourists can check if any of their shells have been “chosen.” Even if not selected that day, a group of “Green Island lovers” will keep an eye on these marked shells and announce the results on the fan page. This form of tourism invites visitors to “give hermit crabs a real home.”
Summer isn’t the only season for Green Island — autumn is too. And this year, travelers should rethink Green Island, because it has scholars and residents who deeply care about ecology and culture. They know there’s a different, more meaningful, and enjoyable way to experience Green Island.
▲ Numbered fighting conch shells are released, allowing tourists to see if their shell has been “chosen” by a cute hermit crab. (Photo / by reporter Chen Ziying)
[Detailed Content of the Green Island Go Miracle Themed Tour]
Thanks for Your Love for Hermit Crabs
Day 1
Head to Green Island → Get to know Green Island → Taste of the Sea (dine at restaurants using eco-friendly utensils) → Cultural Code (fun tour of traditional place names) → Hermit Crab Home Plan (marking conch shells) → Dinner in Green Island → Night exploration of Green Island → Eco-friendly accommodation (stay at selected environmentally conscious homestays)
Day 2
Energizing breakfast → Thanks for Your Love for Hermit Crabs (see if your conch shell has been taken) → Friendly snorkeling (with instructors specialized in seabed ecology and environmental protection) → Lunch → Free Island (free time) → Return trip to Taitung
For detailed activities and registration, please visit the Green Island Go Miracle website
http://www.igreenisland.tw/
Or email to greenislang332168@gmail.com
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-26570
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines