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No Wonder They're Crabby: Crabs Feel Pain

Laws should consider the suffering of crustaceans, scientist says

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Before you drop another crab into a boiling pot of water, take note: Crabs feel pain. Scientists don’t fully understand pain in humans, but do now know that crustaceans respond to discomfort and keep a memory of it, LiveScience reports. Hermit crabs that were shocked fled their shells, “indicating that the experience is unpleasant for them,” said one researcher.

In another test, scientists provided all the crabs with a new shell. Those that were shocked were more likely to choose the new abode than those that weren’t. “Crabs trade off their need for a quality shell with the need to avoid the harmful stimulus,” explained the researcher, adding that the findings signal the need for greater protections for the critters.

Not only do crabs suffer pain, a new study found, but they retain a memory of it.
Not only do crabs suffer pain, a new study found, but they retain a memory of it.   (Shutter Stock)
Not only do crabs suffer pain, a new study found, but they retain a memory of it.
Not only do crabs suffer pain, a new study found, but they retain a memory of it.   (Shutter Stock)
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There is no protection for these animals as the presumption is that they cannot experience pain. With vertebrates we are asked to err on the side of caution and I believe this is the approach to take with crustaceans. - Bob Elwood, researcher

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Forderon
Mar 29, 2009 2:39 AM CDT
"Well cats are pets, Crabs are not, kati."........What kind of dumbass standard is that?? What if I want to have a pet crab; only dogs and cats can be pets now? As soon as I read this headline, I predicted exactly this type of response from the comments--smug and defensive nonsense to cover up guilt and rationality. Let me get this straight, you can boil living things alive because it's "yummy", but if Michael Vick kills dogs, he's the freakin anti-Christ? What does this say about humankind? How insanely hypocritical and smug.
riffran
Mar 28, 2009 3:39 AM CDT
do you still hear the lambs Clarice?......rofl...Lobster anyone?
kati
Mar 28, 2009 3:36 AM CDT
Interesting, most people are outraged by the Chinese practice of boiling cats alive for food, but many (as seen here) don't care when applied to crustaceans.

In crabs and humans, pain is a key survival mechanism
Discovery News

 
research • human • crab • pain • lobster

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