Coconut Crabs and Everything What Is Related It

Coconut crabs are the biggest anthropodas in the world. Can you even imagine that they can reach up to 8.8 lb (4kg) in weight? You might ask me: Why do they call coconut crabs? The answer is clear. They cover their body with shredded coconut. Sometimes they climb up the coconut tree  and they are trying to drop the fruit from the tree. It takes days for them to do that. But you know it`s not their favourite dish.

What is the difference between usual crabs and king crabs (coconut)?

If you are entomologist, I think you already know it. But if not, read this. The difference isn`t very essential. It lies in their infraorder. Usual crabs belong to infraorder "Brachyura" and coconut crabs belong to infraorder "Anomura". Talking about leg-span, its common size is 2-2.3ft (60-70 cm). But their leg-span can reach up to 3.3ft (1 meter). Really, I`m not kidding.

Where you can find them?

You can find them on different islands in the Indian Ocean. Earlier they can be founded in Africa and Australia. But not nowadays, because they extinct. They are naturally occurring in two colours: red and blue. In animal world as well as in human exists competition. And our king crabs protect their soft abdomens with a help of mollusc shells. They created for terrestrial survival. If you throw them into the water they will drown. Their lungs aren`t designed for underwater life. They are fond of eating fresh fruits. Fresh flesh, seeds, piths of fruits and figs are their favourite sweets.

Can you eat coconut crab?

Environmentalists condemn me but coconut crab meat is very tasty. It`s a delicacy on many islands and not for free. It taste similar to lobster and crabmeat. You can cook it by boiling or steaming. Also you can try to cook coconut crabs in coconut milk. As I have already mentioned, coconut crabs are edible. If you like to joy yourself with something tasty eat crabs with beer. If you ever been on island Guam, you know that there are great amount of crabs. Frightening scene.

On some islands they are naturally occurring very rare. That`s why on such islands they are protected by local laws. Mature coconut crab can live during 60 years. You will be surprised, coconut crabs eat not only flesh, seeds and pith of fruits. Can you imagine coconut crab eating Polynesian rat?

Some fascinating facts:

- Coconut crabs are very patient. They can work on opening coconut with a help of their claws during several days;

- They jump from coconut tree instead of climb down. At least they fall from 18.8ft (4.5 meters);
- Sometimes it is called palm thief because they like steal shiny things from tents and houses;
- Coconut crabs can lift weight up to 64lb (29 kg);

- They can eat slow animals. For example, sea turtles;

- They have very small last pair of legs and use them to clean the breathing organs;

- Sometimes they climb up the coconut tree to escape predators and heat;

- They live exclusively on land, even up to 3.7mi (6 km) from the ocean;

- The largest population of coconut crabs is on Caroline island;

- They detect enemies on ground vibration;

- Coconut crab attacks the person if it is threatened;

- The largest coconut crab can reach up to 3.3ft (1 meter) long from head to tail;

It`s unbelievable and I can hardly believe it. But there exists such opinion, that they are responsible for Amelia Earhart`s disappearance. She disappeared after her try to make circumnavigation flight of the globe in 1937. And there is assumption that coconut crabs ate her corpse. But it`s really funny. How they can did it? They did it with a help of their pincers? Funny!

From which parts consists their body?

Trunk;
Opisthosoma;
Forepart;
Cephalic lobe;

If you are fond of pets

Coconut crabs are sold as pets in Germany and Japan. You should buy special cage for them to prevent escape. And to maintain special temperatures in coconut crab`s cage. Remember coconut crabs like to burrow during the day. So you should have 36 inches (91.5 cm) of surface material on the bottom of the cage.

- www.coconut-info.net