Garbage, in addition to being a growing environmental problem, has become part of the daily lives of many animal species. Around the world, wild and urban animals have begun interacting with human waste, whether to find food, shelter, or even to build their homes. This phenomenon raises profound ecological questions, from changes in lifestyle habits to the dangers of consuming or living in waste. To better understand the causes and consequences of litter, you can read about the causes and consequences of garbage.
From the oceans to cities, numerous animals have been observed taking advantage of the remains we leave behind. In some cases, these adaptations are surprising and even ingenious, while in others, they reveal the alarming pressure that waste exerts on wildlife. This article takes a detailed look at which animals scavenge, how they do it, what risks they face, and what new behaviors they have developed.
Animals that use waste as habitat
Some species have incorporated artificial objects, especially plastics, into their daily lives as if they were natural elements. This is particularly evident in hermit crabs, which traditionally sought out seashells to protect their soft bodies. Due to the decline in mollusk stocks and excess waste, they are now seen using bottle caps, spoons, light bulb sockets, and other plastic fragments as makeshift shells. This behavior resembles that of other animals that seek refuge in garbage.
The same thing happens with some birds, which weave plastic bags into their nests. These materials not only provide structure but are also used as ornaments to attract mates. In another striking example, bees have been observed using parts of plastic bags to seal their hives, a clear example of how the availability of garbage is influencing the architecture of social insects.
Octopuses also stand out for their ability to adapt to waste. In trash-filled waters, it's common to see them hiding the entrance to their dens with jar lids or hiding inside discarded containers. Some even use these remains as stilts. moving with its tentacles resting on containers or pieces of plastic to avoid direct contact with the seabed. This behavior is similar to how some coastal animals use their environment to adapt.
Garbage as a means of transport: migration on waste
In addition to serving as habitat, trash has facilitated the movement of species through the ocean in ways never before seen. Traditionally, logs and wood were the natural 'rafts' that some species used to migrate between islands or oceans, but they degraded rapidly. Instead, plastic remains intact for years, functioning as floating platforms for coastal organisms to travel on. To learn more about the types of marine animals that inhabit our oceans, you can visit the article on types of marine animals.
A case that surprised the scientific community occurred after the 2011 tsunami in Japan. In that event, tons of garbage were dragged from the Japanese coasts into the ocean, and with them, they traveled to 300 species that ended up reaching the shores of the United States. Some of these species were invasive, representing a new ecological challenge for local ecosystems.
A 2023 study found that nearly 70% of plastic objects floating in the area known as the North Pacific Gyre contained coastal species. using waste as a basis for living and reproducingThis is a new, man-made marine environment, giving rise to unforeseen biodiversity.
Species that use garbage as camouflage and tools
Sea urchins are another example of animals that have found a way to protect themselves in garbage. These echinoids from the western Atlantic, instead of covering themselves with stones or organic material as they normally did, now prefer plastic fragments. According to experts, this waste helps them stay in the shade and hide from predatorsYes, although the use of translucent plastics could increase their exposure to sunlight and cause injuries. This problem is related to the overall environmental impact of our waste.
In addition, octopuses use bottles and solid waste both to hide and to build safer shelters. Added to this is a peculiar behavior known as "stilt walking," where they use objects as extensions of their bodies to move along the seabed while remaining semi-hidden.
The behavior of these animals demonstrates the adaptability of wildlife, but also exposes the seriousness of the pollution problem. Trash not only becomes part of the natural landscape, but it redefines evolutionary behaviors, forcing species to change their lifestyles to survive. To understand how this affects animals, you can read more about organic and inorganic waste.
Animals that feed on garbage
Beyond using waste as a tool or shelter, there are animals that consume it directly or indirectly. One of the best-known examples is the dung beetle, which uses excrement and decaying organic matter to feed and raise its larvae. Although this behavior is natural, some specimens have been observed to begin incorporating synthetic elements inside the manure balls, which could disrupt their development. This phenomenon is also observed in other animals that forage for food in garbage.
An even more striking case is that of the so-called superworms or king worms. These larvae, which belong to a species of beetle, are capable of breaking down polystyrene, a type of plastic that is extremely difficult to recycle. Their digestive system contains enzymes that break down the material, and some scientists already believe they could be key to the development of new biological recycling strategiesThis type of research demonstrates the possibility of finding solutions to the problems caused by garbage.
There are also mammals, birds, and reptiles that consume solid remains such as bags, cans with residue, or small plastics, believing them to be food. This can cause intestinal obstructions, intoxications and in many cases death.
Impact on urban and domestic animals
Domestic and urban animals also interact dangerously with garbage. In many cases, dogs and cats dig through bins and containers in search of food scraps. Ingesting garbage can cause serious illnesses, from stomach infections to intestinal perforations by ingesting sharp fragments or toxic products such as batteries, medications, or detergents. The problem is especially serious in areas where waste management is poor.
In rural areas or neighborhoods without adequate waste management, cases of pigs, goats, cows, and even poultry feeding on mixed organic and inorganic waste have been documented. The problem not only affects animals, but also humans if it involves species intended for food consumption, as toxins can end up on our tables. To learn more about the impact of garbage on our environment, you can read about examples of environmental impact.
There is an even more dramatic and less visible danger: abandoned or homeless animals that literally live among the garbage. Some are thrown directly into containers, as has been reported in several cities, where litters of kittens or puppies end up inside garbage bags. Sometimes still alive. The image of an elderly dog rescued from an underground metal container is just one example of a reality that is repeated all too often.
In parallel with these risks, some researchers are exploring how certain waste could be put to beneficial use in the ecosystem. Marine scientists have begun submerging recycled structures with the intention of using them as a base for coral growth. Artificial reefs created with recycled materials have helped regenerate habitats damaged by climate change or intensive fishing. To better understand how to care for endangered animals, you can consult the guide on how to care for endangered animals.
These approaches suggest that, while trash is harmful when it accumulates unchecked, it could also be used wisely to mitigate some existing damage. However, this doesn't negate the fact that the volume of waste we produce is unmanageable and negatively impacts wildlife and urban life.
The responses to this problem must be global, but also individual. Reducing plastic use, properly managing waste, preventing animal abandonment, and promoting recycling can make a huge difference in how we coexist on this planet with other species.
As incredible as it may seem, many animals have found ways to survive among our trash: from building their homes out of it to traveling by floating on piles of plastic. Others haven't been so lucky, becoming sick or dying from ingesting waste that bears no resemblance to their natural diet. The truth is that, whether we like it or not, we share spaces with them, and our responsibility for their health and well-being is as real as the waste we throw away every day.
