It feels like invertebrates are finally getting the love they deserve. There is strong evidence that most crabs and octopods do things that all sentient beings do — like learn and try to protect themselves from harm, CNN reported. Researchers used eight different ways of measuring sentience in these animals, and it turns out that crabs and lobsters met many of the scientific criteria. Does that mean that we’ll finally establish a more human way to eat them? Or could they even get banned as menu options in the future?
Researchers at the London School of Economics released a report earlier in the month that analyzed 300 scientific studies of cephalopod molluscs (like squid and octopuses) and decapod crustaceans (like lobsters, crawfish, and crabs). What they found was that cephalopods and decapods are sentient creatures and they can definitely feel pain. If you’re kind of like “duh obviously,” right now, well, me too. But this research is important because the people who make laws about animal welfare are paying attention.
