Coconut crab

Coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a species of terrestrial hermit crab, also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest land-living arthropod in the world, and is probably at the upper size limit for terrestrial animals with exoskeletons in recent Earth atmosphere, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). It can grow up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length from leg to leg. It is found on islands across the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Description

The coconut crab has a body length of up to 40 cm (16 in), a leg span of over 0.91 m (3.0 ft), and a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9.0 lb). Apart from its size, the coconut crab is also notable for its ability to climb trees and its strong pincers, which can crack open coconuts.

Distribution and habitat

The coconut crab is found on islands across the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean. Its range includes the Andaman Islands, the Seychelles, the Maldives, and the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, and the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, and Tonga in the Pacific Ocean.

Behavior and ecology

Coconut crabs are solitary animals, spending most of their time in burrows or rock crevices. They are primarily nocturnal, but can be active during the day in overcast conditions or after rain. They are omnivorous, feeding on fruits, nuts, seeds, and the pith of fallen trees, but will also eat carrion and other organic matter.

Conservation

The coconut crab is not currently considered endangered, but its population is thought to be declining due to habitat loss and over-hunting. In some areas, such as the Cook Islands, it is illegal to hunt or capture coconut crabs.

See also

• Hermit crab
• Arthropod
• Indian Ocean
• Pacific Ocean

References

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  Coconut crab in its natural habitat
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  Palmyra Atoll, a habitat of the coconut crab
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  Illustration of a coconut crab from 1849
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  Close-up of a coconut crab
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  Coconut crab on Bora Bora