Coconut Crabs
Coconut Crabs are the world’s largest land-living arthropods, and can reach up to 16 inches in diameter, and nearly nine pounds in weight. They’re native to islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and feed on coconuts (which they crack with their claws), carrion and small animals slow enough to get within reach of their massive claws. They are accomplished climbers and can scale trees with ease.
They live alone in underground burrows which they line with coconut fibers. They’ll often use one claw to close the entrance to their lair, and will rest there during the heat of the day.
Some people call them bandit or thief crabs because they are reported to steal shiny objects like silverware, wristwatches and even cooking pans, ironic given that they’re considered a delicacy by some indigenous people.
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That completely freaks me the F out.
Truly a nightmarish creature — but fascinating. The world is truly filled with astonishing creatures.
[...] to islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and feed on coconuts which they crack with their clahttp://entertheoctopus.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/coconut-crabs/English Vocabulary Quiz with Images- AnimalsAn interactive multiple-choice JavaScript quiz and flash [...]
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL! VERY CREEPY
That IS creepy! Cool, but creepy.
They steal chickens from frying pans. They mismatch your socks. Your missing CD of J.Geils Band’s “Full House?” They got it. They siphon gas out of your car and pump it into your neighbor’s ride in the middle of the night. They’re nasty.
these coconut crabs you have put on the website the islands you’ve have mentioned those are not the only places were coconut crab are, they also live on my island in the sun. they have been there since the island itself was there, i have read you’re information for coconut crab and i was surprized to read that the island I come from was not mentioned to were these crabs live. my island maybe small but there are alot of beautifull animals and interesting living creatures to know.
are these crabs edible?
Without a doubt… Everything is edible if you’re hungry enough.
Tony Bourdain eats one on his show. says its definitely delicious. like coconuts and crabs…mmmm
You know that would be some good eatting…lol
Didn’t Stephen King write a book that featured these?
I love these awesome arthropods! They’re amazing.
These crabs are amazing. I have a lot more pics of them and it’s just amazing to me. I do think that it would freak me out to eat them, but definitely worth going to see.
I’m studying these. What do they do with the offspring?
Folks– Snopes is stumbling on this one. Give Babs M. a handle on this, and tell her Bunk sent you.
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/coconutcrab.asp
that is so fricken awsome I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!