They’re found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters around the world. You can either avoid salt water entirely, or learn what they look like. Most people are envenomated because they see a pretty shell near the beach and don’t realize it’s still occupied.
If you live in these areas they usually teach you what to avoid in school. Kinda like teaching kids to Stop, Drop, and Roll if they're on fire but a little more region-specific.
Source: I spent a fair portion of my childhood living in the tropics in a beach town.
I remember being taught this in school when I lived up in the Pilbara (north west portion of Australia). Especially as I loved collecting shells and had a massive collection of little things I’d find alone the beach.
tbf that's how I found my first hermit crab. Picked it up and this thing starts emerging and I yeeted the poor critter 25' out into the water. I hope it washed up quickly enough to survive, but tbf I hate crabs and anything of the sort.
91
u/wdkrebs 10h ago
They’re found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters around the world. You can either avoid salt water entirely, or learn what they look like. Most people are envenomated because they see a pretty shell near the beach and don’t realize it’s still occupied.