Spot of Understanding: Crabs do feel pain. And remember it.

Hermit crab - Image from myanimalblog

Ok, we all know by now that animals do feel pain but do we know that they also remember it? Apparently, crabs do. New research from Queen’s University in Belfast, Ireland, indicates that crabs not only suffer pain but also retain a memory of it.

The study, carried out by Professor Bob Elwood and Mirjam Appel, observed hermit crabs’ reactions to small electric shocks. They noticed that the crabs reacted rather badly to the shocks and also tried to avoid getting electrocuted again. This throws light on the treatment these poor things receive in the fishing and food industries everyday. They are not given any protection as the common presumption is that they cannot experience pain. I hope at least now people are a bit more sensitive to these crustaceans after reading this research.

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