Crabs Sense And Remember Pain

Research by Queen’s University shows that hermit crabs not only feel pain and suffer from it, they also retain memories of the pain. The research has significant implications for how crustaceans are treated in the food system.

Queen’s university has found that hermit crabs not only feel pain but also suffer from it, retaining memories of the pain previously experienced.

This study looked at the reactions of hermit crabs to small electric shocks and found that they reacted adversely to the shocks and also sought to avoid future shocks. Crabs attempted to get out of their shells after receiving the shocks, indicating that the experience was unpleasant.

Moreover, the hermit crabs also seemed to retain memory of previous shocks, as demonstrated by their desire to move to a new shell when they’ve been shocked in the previous shell. Hermit crabs do not have shells of their own, but instead inhabit the discarded shells and other structures.

According to researchers, this study highlights the need to investigate how crustaceans in the food industry are being treated, a topic that is currently almost entirely ignored.