Supersized Crabs: Are Carbon Emissions Creating Giant Crabs? (PHOTO)
Supersized crabs are apparently appearing in our oceans, allegedly as a result of carbon emissions, according to a marine geologist.
"Higher levels of carbon in the ocean are causing oysters to grow slower, and their predators—such as blue crabs—to grow faster," a marine geologist has claimed.
Carbon emissions are more commonly reported connected to climate change and global warming.
However, it now appears carbon emissions are also being blamed for having a big impact on marine ecosystems, according to the report in the Washington Post.
The report highlights Chesapeake Bay as an example of the problem, claiming that oyster and scallop populations are declining sharply as crabs, whose shells are growing to much bigger sizes due to higher carbon climates, are becoming bigger and increasing in number.
Crabs are apparently not the only sea creature to be getting larger, as lobsters and shrimp have also been reported to be increasing in size and number as carbon levels rise.
The report indicates that the carbon effect does not necessarily mean more meatier crabs - as it is only the shells that are increasing in size.
The report comes just months after crabs were also in the news for an amazing occurrence when thousands of crabs descend upon Christmas Island in Australia. The event takes place sometime between November and January each year, and has been described as a "spectacular" sight.
The timing of the migration depends on the weather, as the crabs will only move when it is raining.
Here is a video report on the supersized crabs:
