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Captivating Coconut Crab Facts
Coconut crab (Birgus latro) populations are only found in islands across the Indian Ocean and the central Pacific Ocean, with most habitats located near the shore. Though they are related to hermit crabs, these truly enormous crustaceans live exclusively on land and have zero ability to swim once they reach maturity.
Readers might recognize viral photos of coconut crabs perched menacingly on top of trees or latched onto a trash can (though the latter may have been a bit misleading), but these extraordinary creatures have much more to show for than just their size.
Learn about the legends surrounding these animals, whether or not they pose a danger to humans, and more interesting details with these 5 captivating coconut crab facts.
1. Coconut Crabs Are the Largest Land Crustacean
The Japanese spider crab is the largest crustacean in the world, but since they are strictly marine-dwellers, the coconut crab claims the title of the largest crab found on land.
Coconut crab size averages over 5 pounds in weight (though some can push up to 9 pounds) and have a leg span of 36 inches.
2. Their Shells Are Red or Blue in Color
Scientists still aren’t sure what influences a coconut crab’s color, which ranges from bright red to turquoise blue. Often, the colour is just accented on certain parts of the crab’s brown body, but some are much more striking.
Studies have shown that color isn’t sex or size-dependent, nor is it associated with pinch force strength. What’s more, shell color is unlikely to reflect individual behavioral disposition or environmental factors, either. While further research is needed to better understand this phenomenon, one explanation could point towards assortative mating or sexual selection.
3. They Eat Coconuts
Unsurprisingly, coconuts make up a good portion of the coconut crab’s diet. Thanks to their curved legs and inward grip, they can climb palm trees and use their strong claws to crack into coconuts with ease.
That isn’t all they eat, however, as they’ve also been observed preying on animals such as rats, migratory seabirds, and even on each other. In the Chagos Archipelago, the Earth's largest coral atoll, coconut crabs were seen organizing a direct attack by sneaking up and catching an adult red-footed booby under the cover of night.
4. They’re a Type of Hermit Crab
Although the coconut crab is the only species that makes up the genus Birgus, it is related to terrestrial hermit crabs, and they share a signature characteristic. When they’re born, coconut crabs have a thin, soft shell, which they like to protect with an empty seashell until it strengthens.
Needless to say, coconut crabs grow out of their seashells pretty quickly, and instead rely on their tough exoskeleton for protection instead.
5. Coconut Crabs Have a Strong Sense of Smell
Since they do most of their hunting at night, sensitivity to smell is vital for coconut crab survival. As they forage in the dark, the smell of fruit, nuts, or small animals attracts the crabs to their prey.
As much as 40% of a coconut crab’s brain is completely dedicated to smell, while their visual and sensory skills are similar to those of marine crustaceans—despite the fact that coconut crabs live exclusively on land
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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